INDIA AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD- RELATIONS.

SOFT -POWER OF INDIA

1) ability to modify other states preferences without force or coercion
2) films, Yoga, Ayurveda, political pluralism, religious diversity, diaspora, foreign aid
3) initiatives:
a. humanitarian and developmental assistance to several African and Asian countries
b. Yoga -21st June recognised as Yoga Day by UN.
c. Look East, Act East and Look West - historic cultural-religious links
d. Rebuilding the Nalanda Buddhist University in partnership with China, Japan,
e. huge diaspora through events like Pravasi Bhartiya Divas,
f. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has set up 22 cultural centres in 19 countries
4) Challenges:
a. Soft power cannot really exist without some initial hard power ach
b. needs financial support wh
c. late in realizing the full potential of soft power a
d. projected automatically through art, literature, food, films, sports and its
e. diaspora rather than by concerted government efforts

IMPORTANCE OF INDIAN OCEAN

1) responsible for two-thirds of worlds oil shipment, one third of worlds cargo movement
2) Chinas special emphasis towards Indian Ocean
3) Indias own desire to play a significant role in the Indo-Pacific region
4) Joint Strategic Vision with the US, Japans inclusion into the Malabar Exercise,
5) Japan, Australia and Indonesia and re-engaging with the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
6) US-Australia-Japan want India to be a net security provider in the Indian Ocean.

SPACE DIPLOMACY
1) India can use to win friends and influence people.
2) India built Satish Dhawan Space Centre with French technical assistance.
3) recent launch of 5 foreign satellites, including French Spot-7 and German AISAT by ISRO,
4) ISRO operates 3 international stations in Brunei, Indonesia and Mauritius.
5) ISRO also established the India-Myanmar Friendship Centre for Remote Sensing in 2001.
6) ASEAN has sought Indias assistance in developing its own programs.
7) Agreements were also signed with Indonesia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan etc.
8) Regional level,
a) satellite based natural disaster information share with 30 countries
b) telemedicine to Afghanistan as well as African countries.
c) INSAT communications and IRS disaster warning, crop forecast, water resources monitoring
d) Exploiting satellite technology for accelerating socio economic development
9) cost effectiveness of its high performance satellite systems.
10) IRNSS, as it is designed to provide coverage across 1500 km beyond Indias boundaries.
11) Civil aviation, marine navigation, road transportation and disaster management are areas that would benefit
12) India could not respond to Maldivian tender for a domestic spacecraft system.
13) A SAARC satellite cud weaken aggressive push of Chinese space diplomacy
14) Nepal, India can offer an attractive technological package.

AFGHANISTAN
1) bomb blast - Kabul
2) Prime Minister was conferred with highest civilian honour, the Amir Amanullah Khan Award
3) Pakistan on the
4) other hand as part of its strategic depth doctrine aims at retaining an upper hand
5) Taliban had announced the launch of Operation Omari.
6) Relations:
a) csigning of the Indo-Afghan Friendship Treaty in 1950, Indian aid programmes have reached
b) Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) in October 2011
c) Help afganistan in terms of terrorism, extremism, and criminality,
d) Indias involvement in the reconstruction work in Afghanistan
e) Heart of Asia process acquires significance. It is a part of the Istanbul Process, which provides a platform
to discuss an agenda of regional cooperation with Afghanistan at its center.
7) Taliban strategy
a) to hit even the most protected targets.
b) occupy a provincial capital , expose the limits of Kabuls authority.
8) Peace talk
a) Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG), - U.S., China, Pakistan and Afghanistan,
b) to facilitate talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
c) Taliban rejected talks with government as long as U.S.s military presence.
d) President Ghanis - Pakistans cooperation to peace talks with Taliban = failure.
e) U.S., sensing vulnerability of National Unity Government (NUG), said forces will cont.
9) Ashraf ghani visit to india
a) Extradition Treaty to facilitate exchange of wanted terrorists
b) peaceful uses of outer space
c) offered Afghanistan affordable pharmaceutical product
10) Fragile National Unity government (NUG)
a) NUG-2 contender- chief executive and president.
b) Although Afghan constitution = presidential system; - both agreed that within 2 years, contl ammed. to
convert the CEO to PM, and executive power would be shared.
c) None of this happened because the election Commission not constituted;.
11) Ghani VS Chief Executive Abdullah paralysed governance.
12) Indias role in peace process
13) US wants india role , it has frustration over Pakistans failure
14) welcomed Indias efforts in reconstruction, development and institution-building
15) At Pakistans insistence, U.S. has kept India out of the Afghanistan peace negotiations.
16) India and Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement, but security coopn slowed as both sides sought not
to antagonise Pakistan.
17) PM visit to Afghanistan and Indias transferring of three Mi-25 attack helicopters
18) Infra: The Parliament building, spending $300m on the Salma Dam project, Afghan is Indias permanent
partner as per PM. (salma is on river hari rud river-herat), name of dam changed to Afgan-india frndship dam.
a) Zaranze-delaram highway, afgan parliament,
b) large swathes of Afghanistan are under Taliban control
c) collapse of Natioanl unity govt seems inevitable due to increase attacks.
d) India kept out of Quadrilateral Coordination Group consisting of of the U.S., China, Pakistan and
Afghanistan to discuss Afghanistans future.
19) Defence: donated three Mi-25 attack helicopters to counter the Taliban
20) APTTA( afgan, pak, transit, trade corridor)
a) allows for both countries to use each other's airports, rail etc
b) India wish to join APTTA, but pak refused
21) AFGHANISATAN JOINS WTO
a) WTO in 10th ministerial conference in Nairobi approved Afghans membership.
b) become the 164th WTO member and 36th least developed country (LDC) to join
c) now it can create business friendly environment and can attract many big MNCs.
d) integration into international economy and market
 e) benefited of a fair, free and non-discriminatory international trade under WTO
f) Afghan goods and services will be awarded MFN treatment by the fellow Members.
g) products and services will be awarded unconditional advantage, favour, privilege or immunity
h) ex, Pakistan increased custom duties thrice on Afghanistan fruits, caused great loss to Afghan traders. now,
Pakistan will treat Afghanistan fruits equally.
i) Quality improvement and standardization,
j) enabled to attract foreign direct investment in various sectors
k) will increase jobs, transfer technology, decrease trade negotiation costs.
l) entitled to preferential treatments from Members in terms of Special and Differential Treatment provisions
m) help in stabilizing war-torn nation, reducing spread of terrorism, radicalization.
22) It will have cascading effect on stability of Middle East.

SAARC
1) MBBS-PAIN
2) 37th session og SAARC COM
a) Pokhara of Nepa
b) establish the SAARC Disaster Management Centre in New Delhi of India.
3) NAVIC for South Asean diplomacy
a) Indias credentials as a collaborative partner
b) to serve as a net security provider
c) environmental and meteorological monitoring, as well as climate research
d) should propel technological innovations and spin-offs
e) mend relations with Pakistan.
4) 7TH SAARC INTERIOR AND HOME MINISTERS C ONFERENCE
a) Indian home minister went to attend the meeting.
b) India asked for no distinction btw good-bad terrorist,
c) No eulogisation of terrorism
d) Home Miny called for implementation of SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism
5) SAARC without Pakistan
a) Sends a tough message + india wud be able to pursue SAARC minus Pakistan plan to push agreement
b) Motor vehicle movement agreement, railway linkages, and the SAARC satellite programme
c) India hosts the BIMSTEC outreach summit on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Goa
d) Pakistan continues to receive support from several other countries eg china, Russia, iran
e)

INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATION
1) Russia and Pakistan
a) Friendship2016 in Pakistan. Joint exercise
b) Russia was unwilling to postpone these exercises in deference to Indian sensitivities
c) joint drill is seen as another step in growing military-to-military cooperation
d) Kremlin removed its arms embargo in 2014
e) Moscow agreed to sell four Mi-35M helicopters to Pakistan and welcomed it to join SCO
2) Druzhba-2016: It is the first military exercise between Russia and Pakistan
3) PM visited Pakistan to give best wishes to Nawaj Sharif (Pakistan PM) on his birthday.
4) Personal gesture from Indian PM, optimism
5) "high time" Both shud set aside hostilities and express confidence
6) Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India-Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft
power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries-2015 que
7) Pakistan Must stop the categorisation of terrorists into good or bad terrorists
8) India follows the policy of strategic restraint against the Pakistan.
9) Cooperation
10) Issues:
a) Trade
i) Cross-LoC trade between India & Pak takes place between the Indian state of J&K & PoK via two
routes, namely - Uri-Muzaffarabad & Poonch-Rawalkot.
b) URI terrorist attack.
c) India rejected UNHRC team visit to Kashmir, pak urged it to investigate
d) Sir-Creek Dispute: 96 km
tidal estuary on border
of India and Pakistan
i) 1908: btw kutch ruler
and sindh govt over
firewood collection
ii) 1914: Bombay took
up the resolution and
gave award
(1) boundary in Sir
Creek is the
green band on
the eastern bank
of the Creek.
(2) However, para
10 - centre of the navigable channel = boundary, incidentally as per the internationally accepted
'Rule of Thalweg'.
iii) 1925: land boundary demarcated by Sindh, Kutch through a placement of 67 pillars.
iv) 1968: India-Pakistan tribunal upholds 90% Indias claim but cover area to east of sir creek.
v) Pakistans Position: claims entire Sir Creek, with eastern bank defined by a "green line'' and
represented on a 1914 map - loss of 250 sq miles of EEZ for India.
vi) Indias Position:
vii) green line = indicative ,"mid-channel'' on a map dated 1925.= boundary
viii) Thalweg doctrine in international law river boundaries divided by mid-channel.
ix) PaK: doctrine = not applicable , applies to non-tidal rivers,
e) Significance of Sir creek
i) little value. marshy wasteland.
ii) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) one country will lose or gain.
iii) rich in oil and gas
iv) Challenges due to non- resolution of Sir Creek
(1) Fisherman misery:
(2) Drug syndicate / Smuggling:
(3) Terror design:
(4) Maritime boundary:
(5) route that was used by terrorists in 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
(6) Threat to the aircrafts and ships that stray into the region being shot at by the pakistan
(7) During monsoon vigil becomes low further
v) Way forward for resolution
vi) Designating the non-delineated area Sir Creek and its approaches as a zone of disengagement or a
jointly administered maritime park.
vii) countries could designate the area a maritime sensitive zone..
f) F-16 Sale
i) By US
ii) To combact terrorism, imrove precision strike capabilities.
iii) India opposd: use against india, pak harbour terrorists, JEM behind pathankot attack
 iv) Nuclear capable plane- destabilise region, and india
g) India-PAK and US
i) US de-hyphenating policy:
(1) under bush it was formed
(2) view India and Pak as 2 separate silos, not concerned abt their bilateral relation
(3) benefit for US: improve ties with both w/o alienating anyone, eg helping pak in afgan w/o
provoking indian reactions
ii) Reversal of policy
(1) Special Representative of Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) with the Bureau of South and Central
Asia (SCA), which handles India- to be setup
(2) make the US third party in India-Pakistan dispute
h) Siachin Dispute:
i) land of roses-highest battlefield
ii) triangular bit of land between POK and part ceded by
pak to China
iii) result of amibuguity of Karachi ceasefire agreement
of July 1949.
iv) positions of the two militaries at the end of the 1947-
1948 war, did not delineate beyond grid NJ 9842,
v) PaK : Line should go from NJ 9842 straight to the
Karakoram pass on the Sino-Indian border.
vi) India: line should proceed north from NJ 9842 along
the Saltoro range to the border with China
vii) Strategic Location
(1) Pakistan on the left and China on the right.
(2) Direct connection with China + oversight over
ladakh + Leh-Srinagar highway
viii) Operation Meghdot
(1) 1983: Pak deployed troop on siachin , but india
captured
(2) India control siachin and 3 passes-sia la, bilafond la,
gyong la
i) Indus water Treaty
i) India got SBR (satluj, byas and ravi) and Jhelum, Chenab.
sindh went to pak.
ii) Kishenganga water dispute
iii) Permanent Indus Commission
iv) India is reportedly
considering to
review its position
on the Indus
Waters Treaty.
v) India should either
revisit or abrogate
treaty to punish
neighbouring
country
vi) treaty is 1-sided,
hence requires
introspection.
j) About the treaty:
 i) Signed in 1960 by JLN and Ayub Khan, allocates 80% of water to Pakistan.
ii) Indus river basin spans parts of 4 countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and China)
iii) Brokered by the World Bank.
iv) A Permanent Indus Commission was set up to implement and manage , solves disputes
v) taken to review restarting the Tulbul navigation project
vi) decided to build more run-of-the-river hydropower proects
vii) How will changes in this treaty affect India?
viii) Huge Environmental damage if it decides to scrap, river flows through earthquake prone region.
ix) Huge dams/ reservoirs/ canals required to change flow of water. To floods in the valley.
x) may further enrage the terror elements + intensifying , construction works may be on the target
xi) India will have to deploy huge security forces drain the Indian economy.
xii) Loose soft power in pak.
xiii) loose moral high ground because it respects all its treaties, make other smaller neighbours uneasy.
xiv) Cud not say anything if China also takes a similar move against it.
xv) Indus originates in China and if it divert, India would lose over 35% of its river water.
xvi) invite global condemnation
xvii) bring World bank in the picture and in support of Pakistan.
k) How will this affect Pakistan?
i) About 65% area of Pakistan, = part of the Indus basin.
ii) water from Indus is important for the country for irrigation, drinking and other purposes.
iii) affect Pakistan severely. Pakistan may face draught-like conditions.
iv) Under the Treaty, India can make use of waters of western rivers for irrigation, storage, and electricity,
v) enough to send jitters through Pakistan.
vi) engage with Afghanistan on development of Kabul river that flows into Pakistan t
vii) Indias step wud be closely watched by
international community.
viii) India cannot abrogate the treaty on a short notice.
l) Kishenganga project and ratle rivrs
i) Pak approached international arbitration over issue
of design of Kishenganga and Ratle river projects
ii) Kishanganga Hydroelectric Plant Dispute time line
iii) India maintained that Run-of-the-river projects are
permitted by the Indus treat
iv) allowed India to go ahead with the construction of
the Kishanganga dam
v) 9 m3/s of natural flow must be maintained in the
kishenganga to maintain env downstream
vi) But disallowed modern drawdown technique of flushing.

Bangladesh
1) Akashvani Maitree
i) 2 objectives: counter presence of CRI (Chinese Radio International) + attract Bengali-speaking listeners
ii) It will also help in strengthening cultural, economic, political & emotional bonding
iii) Bangla radio service, launched in 1971 during Bangladesh Liberation mvt and discontinued in 2010
2) Proposal for more HAATs along border.
i) thriving centres of trade and commerce across the borders- even in the time of Mughal rule.
ii) Already four markets - Kalaichar (Meghalaya-Bangladesh border), Balat (Meghalaya-Bangladesh
border), Kamlasagar (Tripura-Bangladesh border) and Srinagar (Tripura-Bangladesh border) - are
operational.
3) Disputes:
i) Teesta river:
(1) Originate in Sikkim, thru WB, enter bangla. Merge with Brahmaputra,- imp for agr
 (2) 1983, agreed into ad hoc sharing during dry season -36% Bangladesh ,39% India, 25% will be
decided later. deal has remained pending > 2 decades.
(3) 2011: rivers water 50:50, the same as the 1996 Ganges water-sharing
(4) not signed due to opposition of West Bengal.
(5) Bangla wants to finalize the Teesta agreement
4) Cooperation
i) Terrorism: Cooperation with Bangladesh is one such measure.
ii) Political : Bangla's Pulling out from upcoming SAARC summit in Pakistan.
iii) Legal : Land Border Agreement better border managemnt + arrest cross border terrorist mvt.
iv) Geographical : Bangla's commitment not to use its territory for export of terrorism
v) Strategic : supports peace at LoC and condemned terrorist acts
vi) Institutional : BBIN + connectivity through N-E via rail link.
vii) Religious : emphasis on liberal Islamic education & awareness,
viii) Intelligence sharing
ix) Defence: Sundarban Moitry (Sundarbans Alliance)
(1) 1st ex Btw (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in the Sundarbans border.
(2) better border managerial mechanisms + understand each other, healthy relation
(3) prevention of cross-border crimes
x) Power: 100MW power to Bangladesh from Tripura.
(1) in return for 10 Gigabits per second Internet bandwidth.
(2) from Suryamaninagar grid to the grid in Commilla of southeast Bangladesh
(3) North eastern region will get benefit of 10GBPS

Indian foreign policy initiatives

1) Changing scenarios and our foregin policies:
a) please think and write from NAM, common wealth, USSR tilt,
b) 1991: relation with US, japan, aus in light of new threats.
c) Net security provider now.
d) Reducing chinese influence.
e) Act east, SAARC, ASEAN, Blue economy, Project MAUSAM, IORA etc
f) evolved from inward looking self-preservation to an outwards interest
2) NAM policy of India:
a) Not aligning with power blocs, keeping options open, not taking decisions on pre-conceived notions
b) Origin in India non-violent struggle.
c) Determined to be the master of its fate
d) Past perceived diversion : Indo-Soviet of Peace and Friendship 1971
e) India's silence during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
f) Shifting power dynamics in India's neighbourhood
g) It may be treated as vestige of the past
h) Political : Recent decision of not attending NAM Venezuela, did not attend in 1979 too.
i) Policy: 1 of the 8 pillar on which our Foreign Policy is framed.
j) Geo-Eco-Political moves : alliance with US, went back to IMF during LPG reforms.
k) But NAM is abt strategic autonomy or freedom of decision
l) Has NAM become irrelevant to India's Global Concerns ??
i) Policy: Ideals of NAM : Anti-colinialism, Anti-Racism, Anti-Imperialism = irrelevant.. However, NAM
ideals got transformed as per current problems: Inequalities, Poverty, Terrorism, Unsustainable dev.
ii) Governance: Framework of NAM is informal (commitments are not binding). However, commitments
made on voluntary level have been more effective rather than on binding basis.
iii) Polarity: Though NAM has been failed to create a multipolar world during 20thC. However, it is the
NAM efforts that have succeeded gradually to create a multi-polar world in 21st century.
iv) Confusion or Solution: On one hand, India signed LEMOA with US (countering China in SCS). On the
other hand, getting Membership of SCO. These decisions are based on changing regional dynamics.
 v) Global Agendas of India: NAM has led to inclusion of JAPAN, Germany in the G-4 to pressurize UNSC
for expansion, NAM has contributed indirectly to coerce US to ratify Climate Change Agreement.
vi) Unity: NAM countries don't stand by each other in case of common issue. For ex : Isolating Pakistan on
terrorism.
3) 17th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) took place in Margarita, Venezuela
a) Anti-terrorism Push:
b) UN reform
i) "respect for sovereignty"
ii) "peaceful settlement of disputes" and
iii) "international cooperation" - are as relevant today as they were at the time of the first summit.
c) Sustainable development
i) remain attentive to any effort to modify or distort Agenda 2030.
ii) SDG = bedrock and the highest aspiration of NAM countries' efforts.
d) Peace and sovereignty
4) Post-cold war Transition in NAM
a) NAM has seen an erosion of its authority.
b) Third World debt crisis of the 1980s crushed the economic ambitions of NAM states.
c) Unipolar world
i) Early 1990s, NAM began to back away (Argentina left in 1991).
ii) Yugoslavia crumbled, with war tearing apart its promise.
d) No binding principles: marriage of convenience
i) hard to find agreement among the founding leaders on the purpose and objectives of NAM.
e) Division within NAM: The Iran-Iraq war, the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the Vietnamese intervention
in Cambodia, divided the NAM.
5) Importance/Relevance of NAM
a) NAM acts as catalyst to foster the co-operation between south -south nation.
b) elections at the UN,
c) through NAM that we counter the efforts to expand the UNSC including just Germany and Japan
d) instrument to project our anti-terrorist sentiments.
e) must continue to live as the movement of the developing countries
f) It is a heritage we need not discard.
g) Informal nature allows members to operate individually.
6) Indian plan to launch cross-border mann ki baat.
7) soft diplomatic initiative.
8) airs external service division is reaching out to pak and Bangladesh to reach listener + to counter chinas radio.
9) invite leaders of all neighbouring countries to his swearing-in ceremony.
10) invitation to U.S. President Barack Obama to be the Republic Day chief guest,
11) The govt decision to engage with Pakistan at the NSA level was hailed by all as a novel way to restart dialogue
12) Pakistan has spun a narrative about Indian spies and intelligence agency presence after the arrest of former
naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav.
13) Similarly, with Sri Lanka under then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and
14) now with Nepal under Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, Indian foreign policy has been associated with
allegations of destabilising governments more than with bilateral bonhomie.
15) Relations with Myanmar took a hit when members of the government disclosed in June 2015 that Indian troops
had crossed over the international border in pursuit of militants who had killed Indian soldiers in an ambush.
16) Private think tanks like the Vivekananda International Foundation, and the India Foundation, that boasts three
Cabinet ministers on its board, are another counterpoint to the MEA and governments think tanks for visiting
dignitaries.
17) RAISINA DIALOGUE 2016
a) conference of geopolitics and geo-economics.
b) Focus on Asian integration + with the larger world.
 c) 2016 conclave focused on Asias physical, economic, digital connectivity etc.
d) Based on Indias vital role in the IOR and how to build a stable regional and world order.
e) By MEA and ORF, an independent think tank.
f) THEME: Asian connectivity.
g) Importance of conference: Govt attempt like Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore, and the Munich
Conference on national security.
h) attended by speakers -40 countries.
i) cement its role in the IOR thru cooperative rather than a unilateral approach
18) AID DIPLOMACY
a) Dev assistance to SAARC nation
reduced in 2016 budget.
b) Afghanistan
i) Project: completed or nearing
completion
ii) Parliament building; the Salma
hydel was nearing completion
c) Bhutan
i) hydel projects- Punatsangchhu I
and II or the massive 720 MW
Mangdechu - preliminary stages
of progress.
ii) accounts for 70% assistance.
d) Bangladesh
i) lines of credit r/t direct
development assistance.
ii) extended an $862-million line of credit
e) Maldives and Sri Lanka
i) yet to draw up its plans for Maldives and Sri Lanka
f) Nepal
g) Myanmar
i) 48% increase, focus on the Kaladan MMT project, + Trilateral Highway project.
19) RIS (Research and Information Systems for Developing Countries)- Think tank of MEA
a) lines of credit, bilateral trade, technology transfers, loans and direct grants, all= aid
b) Reduction in aid is contrary to the NDA governments Neighbourhood First policy.
c) China is trying to make inroad

Srilanka
1) New constitution draft
i) strengthen democratic rights, promote national reconciliation and the rule of law.
ii) Framed with consultation of people
2) Connect with china
i) visit to china regarding humbentota port
ii) to clear the stalled Colombo port city project
iii) Srilankans are seeking chinese investments in their logistics industries.
iv) would amplify the chinas maritime silk road initiative
v) chinese have been engaged in developing gwadar port of pak too.
vi) establishing dijibouti as a military base to serve logistical needs of chinese warships.
vii) string of ports in Indian Ocean : Kyaukphyu in Myanmar, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Gwadar in Pakistan,
military logistics base in Djibouti
3) 9th session of joint commission meeting- JC estd in 1992
i) Areas : trade, power, technical and maritime cooperation, social, cultural and educational, defence
cooperation, health, civil aviation, tourism etc
 ii) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Trincomalee
iii) cooperation in aeronautical research
iv) Space
(1) use of satellite system Gagan by Sri Lanka.
v) Tourism:
(1) dev of Ramayana circuit in Lanka and extension of Buddhist circuit in India
vi) education
(1) renovating 27 schools in the Tamil-dominated northern province
vii) Health
(1) building surgical ward and supplying medical equipment to Batticaloa Hospital
viii) Infra
(1) 500-MW Sampoor thermal power project-granted env clearance
4) Trade pact with India
i) Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA).
ii) India accounts for 23% imports from srilanka
iii) boost cooperation in technical areas, scientific expertise and research amongst institutions,
5) Issues:
i) Fisherman
(1) accuses Indian fishermen of straying into its territorial waters- Katchatheevu
(2) socio-economic dimensions, livelihood and humanitarian

Myanmar
1) Myanmar parliament has elected Htin kyaw as the next president (civilian after 50 yr)
2) Min aung hlain, (National League for Dem) will just be a civilian govt and not full democracy.
3) constitutionally: armed force will have 3 imp. Portfolios: home, defence and border
4) Anyone whose children have another nationality cannot become president.
5) myannmar port of kyaukphyu is part of maritime silk road
6) Cooperation
a) CULTURAL: Indias ASI has taken the restoration project of Myanmars Ananda Temple.
b) TRADE: pulses can be taken from Myanmar.
c) ECONOMIC: India increased the financial assistance
d) CONNECTIVITY: Myanmar acts as a land bridge for connecting India with South-East Asia..
i) Kaladan Multimodal project- connectivity with North-east through land & water route in Myanmar.
ii) Trilateral Asian Highway Project: connecting India-Myanmar-Thailand. construction of 69 bridges on
the Tamu-Kalewa section of trilateral highway, upgrading Kalewa-Yargi section of trilateral highway
e) SECURITY: Indias insurgency related problems, with many militant groups (like NSCN-K)
f) MILITARY: Indias support to modernize Myanmar Armed Forces, 4th IMCOR Joint Naval Exercise.
g) MULTILATERAL GROUPS: ASEAN, BIMSTEC, Mekong-Ganga, SAARC (observer status of Myanmar).
h) ENERGY & POWER: India has set up power plants in Myanmar. Cooperation in renewable energy
i) Medicines- cooperation in field of traditional medicines
j) 5 Bs Buddhism, Business, Bollywood, Bharatnatyam and Burma teak.
7) Significance of Myanmar:
a) chose India as the first foreign destination, Htin kyaw visited india and signed MOUs on above.
b) cooperation in field of agri + culture + human resurce + IT + infra dev etc.
8) india can help Myanmar in:
a) Resource extraction PSUs like OVL
b) Utilization of demographic dividend
c) Social rohingya crisis
d) Economic joint collaboration on projects like BCIM, Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemo road and Kaladan Project
e) Security rebels in NW Myanmar, illegal opium trade from the Golden Triangle etc
9) Challenges:
a) Eco dev.
 b) Military seats reserved- prevent constl amend. w/o permission
c) Ethnic conflict Rohingya and rkhine state

CHINA
1) Economy:
a) Chinese investors and technology entrepreneurs are looking to invest in start-ups
2) Border Issues:
a) China has increased defence capabilities and deployed more troops along the Indian border
3) Established hotline between two military hqs. Confidence building measures
4) Issue oover declaring masood azhar a terrorist under unsc sanction
5) Competitive
6) Nuclear proliferation and military competition
7) Energy security spawns maritime rivalry: fierce competition for stakes in overseas
8) oil/gas fields in Russia, Burma, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Vietnam, and Libya
9) South China Sea and relations with US :-
10) NSG and masood azhar
11) Cooperation
a) Other areaS:
i) Manufacturing, urban development, city planning, joint dev of renewable energy
ii) Food security
b) goal to increase trade from its current $80 billion to $100 billion by 2015.
c) NDB and AIIB
d) Modernisation of infrastructure
e) financial crisis and climate change, assisting in multi-polarizing the world today, thru SCO, BRICS, G20
f) OBOR
g) Terrorism (Xinxiang region in china)
h) Climate change
i) Economic issues, indvestent, trade and tourism (china support to kailash mansarovar via nathu la pass in
tibet)
j) Peaceful use of nuclear energy
k) China showed interest in mki, digi india, smart cities
12) Issues:
a) Chinese opposition to India joining the NSG without signing the Nuclear (NPT)
b) China clowdown posses a significant risk to economies-rajan (import contract)
c) Uighur activist Dolkun Isa Visa issue
i) leader of the Germany based World Uighur Congress (WUC)
ii) response to Beijings blocking a ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar in the UN
iii) Xinjiang, unrest against large-scale settlements of Hans from other part
iv) China blames East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) for violence
v) India reverted its decision
13) India, China sign global pact to help tax MNCs
a) agreed to automatically share information,
b) signed as part of the global initiative called Base Erosion and Profit Shifting that is meant to ensure that
MNCs do not get away without paying taxes.
c) Canada, Iceland, Israel and New Zealand have also signed the Multilateral Competent Authority agreement
d) tax administrations obtain a complete understanding of how multinational enterprises structure their
operations, while also ensuring that the confidentiality of such information is safeguarded

NEPAL
1) Internal crisis
i) Nepal faced a decade of Maoist war and after that internal tussle over political power.
ii) blockade and protest by Madhesis and Tharus.
 iii) Indias reluctance to endorse Constitution especially wrt tharus, madhesi etc. = proof of interference
iv) CPI-UML explored decreasing dependence on India
2) Relationship
i) India Nepal relationship dates back to 1950 and signing of Treaty of Peace and friendship
ii) India also shares 1751 km of open border
3) Constitution of Nepal:
i) created seven states in a secular, federal meted out to madhesis
ii) madhesis divided among 5 provinces, with 1 one of them have majority of these ppl.
iii) Gerrymandering: Delineation of electoral constituencies in the Terai not on population basis.
(1) citizenship norms: disallow children of Nepali mothers (married to foreigners) from inheriting
Nepali citizenship.
iv) Ammendment Passed: Constituency Delimitation Commission (Article 286) shall consider population
the first priority and geography the second while fixing 165 electoral constituencies (Article 84)
v) Madhesis have rejected the amendments
4) Issues:
i) Increasing ties with the china
ii) Nepal army chief Rajendra Chhetri is visiting china to streangthen the military ties.
iii) Nepal signed landmark agreement of transit and trade with china
iv) reflects close coordination between different wings of Nepali government and China.
(1) Oli visit to china
(a) transit through China- provide Tianjin seaport reduce Nepal dependence on Kolkata port
(b) Nepal with the Tibet rail network.
(i) Lhasa rail line has been brought up to Xigatse-by 2020 to Nepal
(ii) Need to scale high hiehgts
(c) implement Pokhara Regional International Airport Project.
(d) commercial oil deal
(e) extend the Chinese railway to Kathmandu and then to Lumbini.
v) Nepal accused india of toppling its govt (PM KP sharma oli).
(1) Nepal has 4 major parties, NC, Madeshi Jana Adhikar Forum Nepal, Communist Party of Nepal
(Unified Marxist-Leninist), Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)
(2) Coalition is between UML and Maoist.
(3) They accused india of helping nc to topple the govt.
vi) Continous blockade in Indo-Nepal border
5) KP Oli visit to India:7 agreements:
i) housing, health, education and cultural heritage
ii) road infrastructure in Tarai area of Nepal:
iii) btw Nepal Academy of Music and Drama and Sangeet Natak Academy
iv) exchanges of experts, exponents, dancers, scholars and intellectuals
v) Letters of Exchange on Transit Routes:
vi) Easy transit through: Kakadbhitta (Nepal) and Banglabandha (Bangladesh) corridor.
vii) Operationalization of Vishakhapatnam Port-transit facilities for Nepal
viii) Inauguration of Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar transmission line
ix) Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to review bilateral relations
6) Significance of NEPAL:
i) Nepal accused India for imposing the blockade
ii) Madhesi Parties blockade
iii) Smuggling
iv) China card
BILATERAL, REGIONAL AND GLOBAL GROUPINGS AND AGREEMENTS INVOLVING INDIA AND /OR AFFECTING INDIAS
INTERESTS

DECLINE OF MULTILATERALISM
1) Decline of WTO due to failure of Doha round, last succesfull was Uruguay round,
2) Isolationist populism has thrived
3) Chinas rejection of the Permanent Court of Arbitrations decision in the South
4) Russias absorption of Crimea,inflexible and rigid systems.
5) Eg. india struggle to gain rightful place at UNSC
6) rise of rival institutions the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
7) Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in response to NATO
8) embracing individualism over social democracy
9) failed to manage global challenges such as
10) global warming and financial instability

CIVIL NUCLEAR DEAL

1) With 12 nations

HEART OF ASIA CONFERENCE - NEW DELHI

1) objective: peace and stability to Afghan and speeding up its reconstruction + investment
2) sustained, incremental approach + confidence building measures (CBM) in Afghanistan
3) Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process presents a new vision of cooperation and confidence
4) Principles, : respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and promoting cooperation
5) provides a platform for discussing key regional issues-terrorism, poverty, extremism
6) 2 co-chairs: Afghanistan = permanent co-chair, and host of the annual ministerial meeting as the co-chair.
7) Afghanistan = main focal point/ coordinator of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process.
8) 14 member: afganistan, azerabizan, china, india, iran, 5 stan -uzbeki, Russia, Saudi , turkey, and uae + NO IRAQ

INDIA AND PALESTINE

2) India, Palestine sign MoU for setting up of Techno Park in Ramallah
3) India and Palestine have signed an agreement for setting up of
a techno park in Ramallah with an Indian grant of $12 million.
4) Ramallah Map
5) Background:
6) The decision to set up Palestine-India Techno Park was taken
during the visit of President Pranab Mukherjee to that country
last October.
7) Key facts:
8) Once completed, the Technopark will serve as an IT hub in
Palestine with complete IT facilities offering a one-stop
solution to all IT-related service requirements.
9) It will also provide the state-of-the-art technology, hosts IT
companies and foreign companies benefiting local business,
universities and other institutions

INDIA AND TUNISIA

10) promotion of handicrafts -train 350 Tunisian student
11) IT and communication- India account for 50 % Tunisias global phosphoric acid exports.
12) Tunisia = cradle of arab spring, jasmine uprising in Tunisia was the reason.
 INDIA AND MOROCCO
1) culture : field of music, art and archives, cultural heritage, cultural activities t
2) and diplomacy : training programs for diplomats, experts and researcher

INDIA AND MAURITIUS

1) Connections date back to 1730, diplomatic relations established in 1948 b4 Mauritius became independent.
2) 68% of Mauritian population = Indian origin, known as Indo-Mauritians.
3) Cooperate in: combating piracy (threat in IOR)
4) India = largest source of imports since 2007
5) Mauritius = largest source of FDI for India for more than a decade
6) Bio-farming technology
a. Exclusively offered to transfer bio-farming technology to India.
b. Cooperation in MSMEs and Health sector
c. action plan in the area of coir, khadi and handicraft
7) cooperation in cooperatives and related fields
a. duration of 5 years after which it will be automatically extended for another 5 yr

INDIA AND AFRICA

1) capacity-building-technical assistance, training under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) prog
2) offered duty-free market access to Africas least developed countries
3) Solution areas:
a) NGOS
b) Mohalla sabha strategy for inclusiveness
c) Education institution can play a bigger role
d) Atithi devo bhava campaign by incredible india- atithi = all whites
e) Expounding slogans of shared histories from Bandung are far easier than creating structures that support
the everyday lives of migrants and Indians,
4) Cooperation:
a) Economy
b) India sees African citizens as prospective medical and education tourists,
5) Issues
a) Attack on African nationals.
b) Boycott on Africa day by diplomats of Africa
6) 4TH INDIA-AFRICA HYDROCARBONS CONFERENCE

7) greater cooperation btw India and African continent in hydrocarbon sector

8) India to enhance its energy security and Africa- capacity building, environmental sustainability, HRD
9) India and IVORY COAST
a) diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1960.
b) India established Embassy in Abidjan - 1979, Cote dIvoire opened its Resident Mission here in 2004.
c) President was accorded highest honour, Grand Cross National Order.
d) re-establish the headquarters of the Exim Bank in Abidjan.
e) Trade: bilateral trade grew from $344.99 million in 2010-11 to $841.85 million in 2014-15.
f) Cote DIvoirie, the worlds largest producer of cocoa, sought investment from Indias private sector,
g) biggest exporter of cashew nuts to India- 80% exports.
h) help for developmental projects in public transportation, rural electrification, IT and Bio-technology Park.
10) INDIA- GHANA
a) exemption from visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
b) joint commission to review various aspects of multi-dimensional ties.
c) between the Foreign Service Institute (India) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ghana).
d) Nuclear cooperation
i) sought Indias civil nuclear cooperation for reducing its dependence on traditional energy
e) Trade relation
i) Gold imports; it's nearly 80 per cent of total trade.
ii) India = largest foreign investor in Ghana,
f) Chair on Indian Studies in the University of Ghana
g) socio-economic projects such as Komenda Sugar Plant and Elmina Fish Processing Plant
11) INDIA- NAMIBIA
a) Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT).
b) capacity building of public officials.
c) Nuclear cooperation
i) agreement with India in 2009 for uranium supply, pending ratification by Namibian Parliament.
ii) member of the African Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (ANWFZT),
iii) barred from trading in uranium with non-NPT signatory members.
iv) Namibia is the fourth largest producer of uranium.
d) African Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (ANWFZT)
i) Treaty of Pelindaba, is named after South Africas main Nuclear Research Centre.
ii) Pelindaba = location where South Africas atomic bombs were developed, constructed, stored.
iii) Pelindaba Treaty signed in 1996 -prevent nuclear proliferation
e) Importance of Namibia
i) member of Southern African Customs Union (SACU). consists of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South
Africa, and Swaziland.
ii) India to help in setting up Mining Engineering trading set up.
f) Analysis of visit
i) South-South Cooperation
ii) comes amid China's fast inroads
iii) Africa going to be one of the fastest growing economies
iv) endowed with natural resources; India is trying to tap vast resources to fuel its economy.

INDIA AND BRAZIL

1) Regime change
a. Brazil's Dilma Roussef stripped off from presidency
b. Ending 13 year of leftist rule
2) Reasons
a. Economic crisis+ corruption scandal
b. cutting public expenditure to control deficit,
3) Economic reasons:
 a. Recession, drop in prices eg, oil, iron ore, soya
b. economy shrank by 3.8%
c. Inflation reached 10.7%
d. Unemployment increased to 9%
4) Consequences:
a. deepen Brazils political crisis
b. Russia, China and India have strengthened their politico-economic bilateral relations with Brazil
considerably in recent years, and will be fearful

INDIA AND BRUNEI

1) establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in May 1984
2) 3 agreements:
a) Defence cooperation :
i) exchange of visits, experience, information, training trainers;
ii) conduct of joint military exercises,
iii) seminars and discussions; cooperation btw the defence industries.
iv) Already: naval ship visits occur, training of military officers, exchange of experience.
v) maritime security and secure Indias energy lanes.
b) Health:
i) pooling technical, scientific, financial, and human resources
ii) upgrade the healthcare, medical education, research
c) Youth and sports affairs
i) exchanges of sports persons and sports teams;
ii) exchange of expertise in coaching, sports talent identification
d) host indian diaspora + 4th largest LNG producers + located in SCS
e)

INDIA AND EGYPT

1) Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi paid official visit
2) Political and security cooperation
a) robust defence and security partnership-energise the Joint Defence cooperation, setup in 2006
b) international peace and security, being amng 10 largest troop, police contributing agencies
c) terrorism fight: against IS
d) comprehensive reform of the United Nations
e) concluding the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism
f) tackle the challenges of adverse impacts of climate change, thru equity and CBDR
3) Economic relations
a) invited Indian participation in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, particularly petro-chemicals, energy,
agriculture, healthcare, education, skills and IT.
4) Maritime transport
a) agreement on Maritime Transport
b) step-up co-operation
5) Cultural exchanges
a) "India by the Nile Festival" would be held in 2017-70th anniversary of india
b) "Egypt by the Ganga Festival" in 2017

INDIA AND EU
Issues
1) Braatsilava Declaration
a) EU's 27 leaders have met in BRATISLAVA and finally adopted the Bratislava declaration
b) It was post-brexit conference
 c) Discussed Migration, counter terrorism, defence.
d) Economic and social development
2) EU's statement over human rights violation of marginal groups
3) India wants Services to be the key in trade deal during 13th India-EU summit in Brussels
4) Italian marine issues,
5) temporary ban, in 2015, of 700 generic drugs from India.
6) the Eurozone crisis, the migrant crisis, strained intra-union relationships.
7) Indias strong relationship with part eg france, Britain, Germany affected relation with EU
8) Brexit also poses a threat for India-EU relations.

13th EU-India Summit was held in Brussels on March 2016

1) without a consensus on a bilateral free trade deal
2)

Way forward
1) Agenda for Action-2020: for next five years, emphasises sub-national and B2B linkages.
a) Foreign Policy and Security Cooperation
b) Security: Strengthen- disarmament, counter-piracy, counter-terrorism
c) cooperate in countering violent extremism,
d) explore the possibility of India and EUROPOL, the EU law enforcement agency
e) The Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM)
f) Early adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in UN
g) Disarmament
h) India-EU Water-Partnership
i) Clean Energy and Climate Partnership.
j) early conclusion of BTIA.
k) The European Investment Bank (EIB) loan for lucknow metro
2) BTIA - Deadlock
a) EUs main Demands
i) reduce tariffs in the automobile and wine and spirits sectors.
ii) import duty on cars is btw 60-120% against EU's 10%.
b) India's main demands
i) Data security status (crucial for IT), easier mvt. of professionals,
ii) reduce non-tariff barriers
iii) agricultural market access + disciplining of SPS and Technical Barriers to Trade.
3) Water cooperation and sustainable development
a) sharing of policy and technical expertise, conducting of training
4) Importance of EU
a) largest trading partner, export destination and largest source of FDI.
b) India's exports to EU in 2014-15 had shrunk (-) 4.4 % .
c) Imports contracted (-) 1.5 per cent in 2014-15 to $49.2 billion.
5) Other major issues between India and EU
a) Human rights violation
b) India want Merchandise exports and greater market access.
c) Opening up of European markets for its services sector
d) Classification as a Data-safe country.
e) Italian marines case has also played a spoiler in the EU-India relationship.
f) Arbitrary Ban on 700 pharmaceutical products
g) Reducing/abolishing tariffs in several sectors (including automobile, wine)-eu wants
h) he disagreement regarding Intellectual-Property
6) Broad based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)
 a) Seeds of a High Level Trade Group (HLTG) were sown during the 2005 India-EU Summit
b) explore ways to further boost trade and investment between the duo
c) negotiations of a broad-based Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)
d) What exactly are services related to in this context?
i) Its mainly IT and ITES sector among others
e) Why India does not have trade in services?
i) EU considers India insecure in keeping data secure
ii) A data secure status is needed by EU
iii) hampered progress of negotiations around the liberalization of trade in services in the BTIA
f) Textiles is also a sector where negotiations are difficult, because not much access is available

INDIA AND FIJI

1) Air Services Agreement:

INDIA AND GERMANY

1) Background
2) Areas of cooperation
a) Skill development: agreement btw Miny of Skill dev and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and (German Intl
Coopn (GIZ), adapting elements of the German dual system in select industrial clusters in India.
b) improve cooperative workplace-based vocational training in Indias industrial clusters.
c) Automobile cluster in Maharashtra and Electronics cluster in Bangalore.
d) German technical assistance will be used, build capacity of local training institutions.
e) scale up apprenticeship training.
f) project to be implemented under Joint MoU in field of Skill dev and Vocal edu and Training (VET).

INDIA AND GREECE

1) Sign open skies pact
2) Greek carriers have been granted unlimited traffic rights to six Indian metro cities
3) allow airlines from India to operate unlimited number of flights
4) first country to have an open sky agreement

INDIA AND IRAN

1) Cooperation
a) Farzad B gas field in persian gulf: Iran given an in-principle approval for deal,
2) Chabhar Port: near kandla port , access to C.asia, afgan and eastern EU markets.
a) Trilateral meeting btw India, Iran and Afganistan for chahbar
b) P2P contacts , agreed in 2003 but delayed
c) Increased Connectivity-link to Central Asia via Afghanistan
d) Energy security
e) India's $500milion investment for the development of port
f) Counter to the paks Gwadar port, which it is building with chinese assistance.
g) Lies outside the Persian gulf, help india in expanding its maritime trade
h) MoU was signed between India and Iran in May 2015
i) Ownership of equipment will be transferred to Iranian side after 10 year
j) 2 berths will be operated by India Ports Global Private Limited, a Company promoted by the Jawaharlal
Nehru Port Trust and Kandla Port Trust
k) development and operation for 10 years or 2 terminal + 5 berth
l) Economic significance of Port
i) direct access to the Iranian coast;
ii) a rail line to the Afghan border town of Zaranj
 iii) Zaranj-Delaram road constructed by India in 2009 - Garland Highway, setting up access to 4 major cities
in Afghanistan Herat, Kandahar, Kabul , Mazar-e-Sharif.
iv) Goods to reach beyond, along the yet-to-be developed (INSTC) to Central Asia.
m) Strategic Significance
i) 100 km from Pakistans Gwadar.
ii) Gateway for west asia
iii) Eg sage pipeline
3) concerns:
a) indias negative vote against iran in atomic energy agency
b) india s adherence to us sanctions.
c) Balancing the relations wid Israel and iran and Saudi.
d) economic challenges as the earlier leverage such as paying partly in rupee
e) Geographical limitations can be overcome
f) Chabahar port was = alternate trade and transit route to Afghan-no streategic tones.
g) The transit corridor involving Chabahar to Zaranj to Delaram (Afghan) was to be complemented by INSTC
from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas into Central Asia.
h) The delay in Chabahar port -reduced economic utility, with Chinas (OBOR) to which both Pakistan and
Iran subscribe
i) Chinese investment in gwadar dwarfs indias in chabhar
j) China trade with iran=52b$ and indias 9b$
k) Afganistan is in dire straits today-for which chahbhar was seeked.
4) iran is a theocracy and democracy
5) foundation of relationship was laid during atal bihari visit in 2001, followed by Iranian President Mohammad
Khatamis presence as the Republic Day chief guest in 2003
6) New Delhi Declaration shared regional and global interests, addressed energy, education etc.
7) India and Iran tried to keep relations on track post US santions, with Mr. Ahmadinejads visit in 2008 and Prime
Minister going to Tehran for a NAM summit in 2012, but growing isolation of Iran under Western sanctions and
Indias negative vote in the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2005 had put New Delhi Declaration in
hibernation,
8) Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or (JCPOA) between Iran and P5+1 on Irans nuclear programme and the
corresponding easing of sanctions -> revival
9) From being the second largest energy source before the sanctions kicked in five years ago, Indias imports from
Iran came down by more than two-thirds in 2014-15.
10) Trilateral Transit and Transport Corridor:
11) China and Japan have been major buyers of Iranian crude. Target trade btw iran and china = 500b$ by 2026,
also china favoured iran in SCO, train from yiwu to tehran

INDIA AND IRAQ

1) Protesters loyal to cleric Moqtada al-Sadr stormed Baghdads government
2) Low oil prices have weakened the economy,
3) Endemic corruption
4) Parliament has been dysfunctional
5) extremist violence continues to target civilians.
6) one-fourth of Iraqi territory is controlled by the Islamic State.

INDIA AND ISRAEL

1) diplomatic relation was established as late as 1992.
2) India is no longer initiating anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations.
3) It can pursue Israel to stop its illegal construction in West Bank and repeated human rights violation while
coaxing Palestinians to shed violence and reach a peaceful lasting solution.
4) India has made serious attempts to moderate the Non-Aligned Movements (NAM) anti-Israel
5) Indian government approved (MoU) in water resources mgt and dev cooperation.
6) Israel is third largest military exporter to India.
7) recent vote in support of UNHRC resolution condemning Israel
8) It is the third largest trading partner in Asia and negotiating a free trade agreement with India.
9) Israel helped India during 1965, 1971 and 1999 wars with Pakistan.
10) cooperation between the two in the agricultural sectorwater management, research and development,
sharing of best practices.
11) Closer relationship with Israel has created a constituency for it in USA.
12) Arab states have not reciprocated by not trying to reign in Pakistan
13) Benefits:
a) strengthening efficient use of water, micro-irrigation, recycling/re-use of waste water, desalination, aquifer
recharge and in-situ water conservation techniques.
14) Counter-insurgency model
a) Israel hasnt achieved the intended results from any of its military operations till date but has aggravated
the problem instead as seen in Hamas, Hezbollah and South Lebanon case
b) project India as a nation which have zero tolerance towards terrorism
c) manifest the fear of acting as a big brother
d) Aggresive strikes in terror sanctuaries
e) Israel has no nuclear armed state in its backyard like Pakistan
f) India cant risk its image as a peace loving country

INDIA AND ITALY

1) Italian marine case
a) UN arbitration tribunal : marine can return until it decides
b) Subsequent to tribunal ruling, SC agreed with conditions
c) Envoys responsibility: ensuring return within a month of tribunal ruling in favour
d) Massimiliano Latorre ,Mr. Girone murdering 2 Kerala coast fishermen.
2) Italys position
a) opened fire to thwart pirate attack, 20.5 nautical miles off Kochi.
b) occurred in the course of discharge of their operational duties,.
c) case occurred in international waters.
3) Indias position
a) invoked its sovereign right to prosecute the accused under (ITLOS)
i) intergovernmental organization
ii) created by the mandate of the Third UNCLOS.
iii) signed at Montego Bay, Jamaica, in 1982.
iv) based in Hamburg, Germany - power to settle disputes between party states
4) The tribunal is adjudicating whether India has the jurisdiction
5) A U.N. arbitration court rules that India should release Italian marine Salvatore Girone.

INDIA AND JAPAN

1) Energy
a) MOU for promoting sustainable, stable and low-carbon
thermal power
2) Nuclear agreement signed
a) India reached agreement on civil nuclear cooperation
b) Japan was one of India's most vocal critics after New
Delhi's 1998 nuclear tests
3) Defense and Security relationship
a) between air forces and coast guards
b) Indian training for Japan's counterterrorism capabilities
 c) Agreements to share classified military information
d) Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology.
e) invite Japan as a 'formal partner' to the US-India Malabar naval exercises
f) US-India-Japan trilateral at the foreign minister level in October
g) Andaman and Nicobar: increasing civil infra
4) Trade and Economy
a) $12bn---facility to support Japanese co. to further our Make in India objective
b) Mou on hi-speed Shinkansen rail system btw Mumbai and Ahmedabad
c) 13 big infra projects to be financed by ODA loans eg Metro projects
d) Amending-avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on
income which was signed in 1989.
e) effective exchange of information on tax matters
f) provide assistance to each other in the collection of revenue claims.
5) India-Japan Economic and Commercial Cooperation
a) Japans ageing population (23% above 65 years) and our youth (> 50% below 25)
b) Indias rich natural and human resources and Japans advanced technology;
c) Indias prowess in services and Japans excellence in manufacturing;
d) Japans surplus capital for investments and Indias large and growing markets
6) CEPA and its implementation from August 2011 further accelerate trade growth
7) Bilateral loan and grant assistance to India since 1958
a) largest bilateral donor. ODA eco dev in power, transportation, env etc
b) For example: delhi metro, WDFcs, DMIC, CBIC
c) Indias primary exports to Japan : petroleum products, chemicals, elements,
8) Other relations
a) Cultural: Both share close Buddhist link since ancient times.
b) Demography: India can supply young workforce to an increasingly ageing Japan.
c) Chinese aggressive plans:
d) Energy
9) Unresolved issues:
a) Civil nuclear agreement:
b) Indian exports to Japan- iron import ban by judiciary hampered japan
imports
c) Suboptimal trade:- only 1%
d) 14, 400 Japanese firms are operating in China
e) Not-tariff barriers: I- nurses and care-givers , part of CEPA.
10) Way forward: strengthen partnership under India's Act East policy
a) strengthen India's voice in regional debates
b) 'Southeast Asia sees India primarily as a security partner, while India
primarily sees Southeast Asia as a trade partner' Rand Study
c) Visa procedure: India has simplified visa procedures
d) Tax reforms
e) Infrastructure
11) Civil nuclear Deal finally signed:
a) loggerheads since 1998
b) isiues:
i) consequences of any future testing of nuclear weapons by India
ii) liability for nuclear accidents,
iii) reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel
iv) nullification clause
v) Indias refusal to sign the NPT
c) Significance:
 i) Indias planned nuclear reactors with France and US also depend on Japanese parts.
ii) Westinghouse, and Areva, have important ownership stakes of Japanese companies such as Hitachi,
iii) Fukushima accident.
iv) convey to Nuclear Suppliers Group
v) lift the strategic military and defence relationship
vi) will help Japanese companies.
vii) China has been hedging against deeper Japan-India ties in Asia by investing in its relationship with
Russia and Pakistan
viii) U.S. President-elect has indicated a lower level of interest in playing policeman

INDIA AND KENYA

1) Cooperation
a) Defence
b) Housing
c) Btw BIS of india and KBS of Kenya
d) Visa exemption for diplomatic visa holder
e) Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion
f) Credit Agreement for US$ 15 million for MSME development
g) Line of credit 30m for upgrade of Rift Valley Textiles Factory

INDIA AND KOREA

1) Economy:
a) Korea Plus initiative to promote and facilitate Korean investments
b) act as a mediator in arranging meetings, assisting in public relations and research,
c) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), had come into effect in 2010
d) South Korea will cut tariffs on 93% on goods from India. India will cut 75% of total tariffs
e) provided better access for the Indian service industry in South Korea.
f) eased restrictions on foreign direct investments.
g) avoided issues over agriculture, fisheries, and mining

INDIA AND MALDIVES

1) MOU signed between Indias Ministry of Tourism and Maldivess Ministry of Tourism
2) Maldives forming opposition govt in Britain.
a) India is a part of Bali Democracy Forum and also co-founded UN Democracy Fund.
b) political crisis in Maldives is a cause of concern
c) Why India should not support?
i) UNSC seat.
ii) Presence of ISIS elements in maldives
iii) But it is Against the principle of Panchasheel of non interference
iv) India avoids active promotion of democracy in particularly neighbourhood areas
v) can worsen our relations with the present government
vi) could invite Chinese presence in Maldives
d) Why India should support?
i) Stable government in Maldives is desirable for India's neighbourhood diplomacy.
ii) moral duty of India to guide Maldives to right democratic path
iii) Relations with the former democratic government was better
3) Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom paid official
a) Action plan for defence cooperation
i) Indian Ocean region.
ii) institutional mechanism at the level of the Defence Secretaries
b) Agreement on Orbit Frequency Coordination of "South Asia Satellite" proposed at 48oE.
 c) conservation and restoration of ancient mosques
d) Tourism, exchange of tax information.
e) Pact for avoidance of double taxation
4) Indias support in the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG)-saved maldives
a) Mr. Yameen declared national emergency.
5) Analysis
a) Indian Ocean region (IOR).
b) concerned about growing ties between Maldives and China.
c) China is assisting Maldives in infrastructure and developmental projects,
d) Maldives is also part of China's Silk Road project.
e) Male terminated agreement with GMR given to a Chinese company.
6) Indias help to Maldives.
a) Indian Army's 'Operation Cactus' foiled a coup in Maldives -by a pro-Eelam group
b) India maintains a naval presence in Maldives, at the request of the Maldives
c) India dispatched water aid to the Maldivian
d) India had assisted Maldives' election process by sending its observers

INDIA AND MOZAMBIQUE

1) cooperation
a) double pulses import
b) security and defence: india would hep in developing their capacities.
c) FAO designate 2016 as year of pulses
d) 3 agreements were signed in areas of drug trafficking, pulse trading and sports
e) Key aspects of the MoUs:
f) production of tur dal (Pigeon Peas) to facilitate the long term trade goals with India.
g) held by both the governments directly or through government-nominated channels.
h) drug trafficking : reduction of the trade of psychotropic substances

INDIA AND NEW ZEALAND

1) Cooperation : agriculture, dairy, food processing, education and skill development
2) opens the door for direct flights
3) Trade: $ 885 million in 2015, Indian exports = $ 429, process to finalize FTA.
4) Diaspora: > 170,000 , Opportunity for skilled Indians.
5) Higher education: second largest number of foreign students of India.
6) supports Indias aspirations of the UN Security Council.
7) great technological abilities in cold storage supply chain management and postharvest.
8) shared stakes in a peaceful Asia-Pacific region
9) Indias Act East policy.
10) New Zealand has strong influence on the Pacific Island countries

INDIA AND OMAN

1) Conducted 10th edition of bilateral maritime exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr'
2) Oman Navy ships RNOV Al-Shamikh and RNOV Al-Seeb have participated and indias (NS Trikand and INS
Trishul.
3) conducted in two phases i.e. a) Harbour Phase at Goa b) Sea Phase off the Goa coast.
4) aim of this exercise is to increase interoperability amongst the two navies
5) Significance:
a. Maritime security cooperation
b. Increasing naval cooperation
 INDIA AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA
1) MoU on cooperation in the field of Healthcare and Medical Science,agriculture, infra
2) Papua new guinea is the largest of all pacific island nations.
3) Four mous signed during recent presidential visit:
a) In field of healthcare and medical sciences.
b) Exim and papua govt: 100m$ credit for dev of infra in papua new guinea-IT center
c) ICAR and PNG university for cooperation in agri. Research
d) establishing of India-Papua New Guinea Centre for Excellence in IT.
e) Act east
f) FIPIC, the Forum for the India-Pacific Islands Cooperation,- launched
g) oil and gas resources
h) support for Indias claim for permanent membership in the UN Security

INDIA AND PHILLIPINES

1) Garden Reach Ship Builders (GRSE) to suppy 2 warships
2) Under Act east

INDIA AND QATAR

1) Importance of Qatar
a) India's key sources of crude oil.
b) India is the 3rd largest export destination for Qatar
c) focusing on improving ties with the Gulf region
2) Areas of cooperation
a) Qatar will invest in Indias National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)
b) Skill development and Entrepreneurship
c) Tourism
d) In the field of health
e) field of Youth and Sports
f) Finance Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) and Qatar Financial Information Unit (QFIU) also signed
cooperation
g) cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters.

INDIA AND RUSSIA

1) International assertiveness in Russia
a) clear position on opposing Western intervention, militarist regime-change policies in Iraq
b) counter-force in the fight against the Islamic State
c) retook the province of Crimea,
d) strategic partner of China
e) constantly looking for new markets
2) india greater outreach to west and implications
a) trade has not grown
b) dutifully backed the Indian position on Kashmir
c) military exercises with the U.S. and has signed logistics agreements
d) Chechnya, Syria, Ukraine and elsewhere, India has supported Russia
e) kremlin = cautious about Indias augmenting defense cooperation
3) Dec 2015, Prime Minister and Russian President Putin on signed 16 agreements.
a) Manufacture of Russian Kamov 226 helicopters in India,
b) An accord for cooperation in the field of helicopter engineering,
c) Making Russian-designed nuclear reactors in India,
d) Technical cooperation in the railway sector,
e) Construction of solar energy plants in India
 f) Exploration and production of oil in Russia
4) Annual summit between the two is highest institutionalized dialogue mechanism
5) Indian PM has put on the fast-track the Druzhba-Dosti (friendship) vision
6) Significance:
a) Boost Make in india and Solar mission of the india
b) Manufacturing of kamov 226 boost defence manufacturing in india
c) Boost Indias defence readiness with next generation equipment
7) Russia is "all-weather friend" of India --- given us unwavering support on Kashmir, backed us when we did our
nuclear test, during Kargil war, helped us with our nuclear power plants and submarine projects and in the
defence sector.
8) India too has steadfastly backed Russia -- didn't decry Russia's Afghan invasion of 1979, when it annexed
Crimea, current involvement in Syria
9) Issues: growing strategic relationship with the US after civilian nuclear deal.
a) Russia challenged the US and Europe, cosied up China and even Pakistan.
b) Distance between two nations.
10) Convergence of interests: both need each other as
a) India need Russia for:
i) energy security, master future technology including space,
ii) improves bargaining power when it negotiates arms sales with the West,
iii) Russia = market for pharmaceuticals, manufactured goods, dairy products, bovine meat and seafood.
iv) Geopolitically, Russia balance designs China and Pakistan may have in our region
b) Russia needs india as: As market to bypass Western sanctions, TTIP.
i) Despite friendship with China, Russia will soon find itself in competition with it, as Beijing regards itself
as the new G2 along with the US.
ii) India can help provide the multi-polarity that Russia fiercely seeks
c) Russia has offered Indian oil companies a stake in the second phase of Yamal LNG, liquefied natural gas in
the Arctic. The Russian firm holds 50.1% stake in the project that comprises development of the South-
Tambeyskoye field
11) Future Prospects:
a) Bilateral trade: current (10 b$), target (30b $ for 2025)
b) defence cooperation: from simple buyer-seller to one of joint research, development and production of
advance technologies, new tie-up to manufacture helicopters in India.
c) Indian investment in Russia: $7 billion, mainly from the oil and gas sector. ONGC-Vl has a 20% stake in
Sakhalin-1 and acquired Imperial Energy Tomsk. Russia's Gazprom and GAIL signed a 20-year contract to
supply LNG. And Rosneft has tied up with Essar for long-term supply of crude. Tata plans to set up an
assembly line for mini lorries and buses.
d) Pharmaceuticals: Sun Group, Ranbaxy and Lupin expanding operations in Russia.
e) Potential for diamond, fertilisers and food sectors- needs exploited India Inc.
f) Russia investments in India: $3 billion. Sistema, the Russian telecom giant, ran into trouble with its joint
venture in India, Shyam Sistema Telelinks, during 2g
g) 'Make in India' opens opportunity in defence equipment, civil aviation, railways.
h) India learn to absorb Russian technology and reduce bureaucratic hurdles
12) Big Brother Law:
a) heightened electronic surveillance of Russian citizens
b) call records to be stored for 6 months
c) Facebook and Telegram have to provide decryption keys to Russias Federal
d) Postal employees are required to inspect packages

INDIA AND SAMOA

1) Cooperation
a) Sharing of tax information: The information received under the Agreement shall be treated as confidential
 b) provides for Mutual Agreement Procedure for resolving any difference or for agreeing on procedures
under the Agreement
c)

INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA

1) Energy and oil:
a) Saudi Arabia charging premium on oil it sells to Asian customer
b) one of largest exporters of crude oil to india
c) Indian refiners will have to operate at higher input prices
d) Africa can become alternative to energy basket
2) Defence Ties
a) When india and Saudi talks of promoting peace, development in region
b) It means different for both-saudi against iran and india against pak
3) PM visit- present gold plated replica of CHERAMAN JUMA masjid-1st mosque in india
a) List of Agreements/MOUs signed during the visit
b) Agreement on Labour Co-operation
c) Technical Coopn - BIS and Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.
d) Cooperation in Handicrafts promotion
e) MoU between Financial Intelligence Unit
f) Exchange of Intelligence related to Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing
g) Investment Promotion Cooperation btw Invest India - SA General inv Authy.
4) Significance of visit
a) Upgradation of 3 agreements energy security, strategic partp and defence partp
b) trade and investment relationship.
c) Investment opportunities for India: King Abdullah Economic City, gateway to Africa.
5) Importance of Saudi Arabia
a) energy security and national security.
b) largest supplier of crude oil.
c) India is the largest recipient of foreign remittances
d) counter-terrorism and intelligence-sharing.
e) Riyadh also extradited several terror suspects to India.
f) can force Pakistan to abandon its anti-India foreign policy.
6) Importance of India for Saudi Arabia
a) Economic Strain: weak oil prices + competition from Iran
b) India is a vital market for Saudi Arabia.
c) Change in U.S. policy
d) Friction with Pakistan: Islamabad renewing ties with Tehran. refused to join against Houthi
7) Critical Issues with Saudi Arabia
a) Saudi-Pakistan relation: Pakistan is a Historically partner of the Saudis.
b) Saudi-Iran rivalry: destabilizing West Asia and influencing West Asian geopolitics.
8) Ideological problem
a) Saudi money is funding Wahhabi Islamic groups
b) Many extremist outfits are inspired by the Wahhabi branch of Islam.
c) Saudi Arabias aggressive foreign policy in West Asia
d) In Syria, Saudi support for rebels destabilizing the regime, rise of Islamic State.
e) In Yemen, humanitarian catastrophe, creating conditions for radicalism to flourish.
f) Indias close relation with Iran, antagonize Saudi Arabia.
g) India has to balance its ties with all three, Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
9) Indias west Asia policy
a) For decades, a passive player - a beneficiary of good relationships with multiple actors.
b) Cold war years: maintained economic cooperation with both Saudi Arabia and Iran.
 c) post-Soviet world: apph. expanded to a tri-directional Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel.
10) 2010, Riyadh Declaration, cooperation in the security, defence and economic spheres.
11) PM visit to Riyadh reflects a resolve to deepen Indias engagement in West Asia

INDIA AND SEYCHELLES

1) Land to build its first naval base in IOR allocated by the Seychelles in Assumption Island.
a) joint project between India and Seychelles.
b) significance following China acquiring its first African naval base in Djibouti.
c) India can exercise greater control over the IOR + piracy-prone eastern African coastline.
d) India is setting maritime security network with help of IOR partner countries.
e) India will acquire coastal radar system in Seychelles- gather intelligence and surveillance
f) Seychelles = leader role in Contact Group for Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS)
2) Need for cooperation:
a) Countering chinas rise in the IOR
b) Fulfillment of protection of mineral and sea based resources
c) Safeguarding of transportation and communication links: c
d) Maldives, Seychelles, and India enhance defence capabilities and naval development
e) UN Law Of Sea principle regarding territorial and sovereign rights over EEZ
f) Piracy tackling:
g) Security threat dealing:
h) Seychelles draws around 27 percent of income from tourism industry
i) Geo-political benefit:
j) Lamitye btw Indian army and Seychelle- 7th ex. Seyc. Defence acad.-Victoria-since 01

INDIA AND SINGAPORE

1) Exchange of best practices, experiences and knowledge on Intellectual Property

INDIA AND SOUTH AFRICA

1) deepen engagement in key areas of
defence production,
manufacturing, mining
2) ICT, Snt, Tourism, cultural
cooperation
3) Push for Make in India
4) PM undertook a train journey to
Pietermaritzburg station in
memory of the 1893 incident in
which Mahatma Gandhi was
thrown out of a train compartment
on account of his skin colour.
5) Importance of SA:
a) Indian diaspora: home of 1.2
million people.
b) Member of NSG.
c) Both countries are member of
major grouping (international forum) G -20, BRICS, ISBA and IORA.
d) Both countries are actively pursuing UN Security Council reform.
6) Coordination on defence production and MARITIME security.

INDIAN MARITIME EXPERIENCES AND LEGAL ROLE

2) there is no dedicated legal team
3) Katchatheevu island: Diplomatic efforts have not made any breakthrough and talks
4) Enrica lexie case: questions if India adopted the correct strategy in recognising the
5) jurisdiction of PCA in interfering in the Enrica Lexie case- There are no provisions in UNCLOS that cover this
crime.
6) Indian member of the tribunal neither dissented nor put in an explanatory declaration
7) Breakthrough
1) India acceptance ofdecision over Bangladesh
2) responsible approach to territorial conflicts
8) responsible approach to territorial conflicts

INDIA AND SOUTH KOREA

1) India and South Korea have signed a MoU for cooperation and mutual assistance in development of ports.
2) strategic trade partnership with South Korea presents an immense opportunity in filling this gap.
3) South korea will become hub once arctic post start pouring oil.
4) should integrate Arctic resources in CEPA
5) India should send delegations and get actively
6) involved in Arctic programmes
7) India has been remarkably missing from talks regarding arctic resources.

INDIA AND SOUTH SUDAN

1) 2011, South Sudan split from its northern neighbor, Sudan,
2) Ended civil war btw Muslim sudan and christian south sudan
3) Cooperation
4) Issues
a) South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011
b) 300 indians stranded at Juba due to civil war.
c) Sudans people liberation mvt party-now divided- fighting for
power-dinka and nuer
5) Armed conflict in sudan
a) Salva kir (president, Dinka) and riek machhar(VP, Nuer)
b) P accused VP of coup
6) Sankat mochan operation
a) Launched to rescue citizen stranded in south sudan-juba

INDIA AND TANJANIA

1) Signed 5 agreements
2) Solar mamas: rural women solar engineers from Africa, trained by
GOI
3) Cooperation
a) Terrorism and climate change
b) Economy: 92m from india for rehab and improvement in water supply
c) MOU on water res. mgt and dev.
d) Vocational training at Zanzibar
e) Visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holder
f) Agreement btw National Small Industries Corporation of India and the Small Industries Development
Organisation of Tanzania

INDIA AND THAILAND

1) Partner in India's 'Act East' policy.
2) Coopration : securing international sea lanes.
 a) Defence: India to participate in Cobra Gold 2016 ([multilateral amphibious exercise]) + operation matre
(counter insurgency)
i) naval exercises in the Andaman Seas
ii) exchanging prisoners
b) Other Importance:
i) 3,200 km IMT (India Myanmar-Thailand) Highway-NE connect with SE-asia region
ii) 2nd largest economy of ASEAN
iii) Extradition treaty, Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, 2004,
iv) Major extraditions from Thailand: agtar Singh of Babbar Khalsa, Willy Naru,

INDIA AND TURKEY

1) failed coup
a) section of Turkeys military tried to overthrow President Tayyip Erdogan, he is in power since 2003
b) govt has blamed Fethullah Gulen, a muslim cleric
c) why revolt:
i) Mr. Erdogan's AK Party's Islamist politics different from military's Kemalist secularism
ii) Limiting jurisdiction of military court, weaken military power, brought military leader under civilian
control
iii) Weakening of state
(1) Disasterous foreign policy: Syrian crisis: backed rebelsrefugee crisis, deepen civil war, ISIS,
against Russia
(2) Islamisation; Forced Islamisation,
(3) Rewrite constitution: rewrite the Constitution, cracked down on free media
d) Impact of coup
i) Arrest and sacking
ii) Poitical oppo. are being rounded up- belief of right grp
e) Military role:
i) popular institution with relative autonomy Kemalism- democratic nationalism and secularism- ushered
in by founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923
f) Turkey as secular state: Republic of Turkey was created as a secular state in 1923
g) founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was president until his death in 1938
h) Ismet Inonu introduced multi-party democracy in 1946
i) repressive military coups in 1960, 1971 and 1980

INDIA AND UAE

1) Mou signed to prevent human trafficking. Anti-trafficking cells and task forces will work on both sides to
prevent human trafficking. repatriation of victims would be done as expeditiously.
2) Desert Eagle II: bilateral exercises between Indian Air Force (IAF) and (UAE AF)
3) Areas: currency swap, culture, infrastructure, renewable energy, space research, cyber security, skill dev and
commercial information sharing.
4) Cooperation
a) swapping of Indian Rupee with their Dirham.
b) space technology, science and applications including remote sensing;
c) btw UAE insurance auth and IRDAI
d) mutual recognition of qualifications+ transfer of skilled labour
e) combating electronic crimes.
f) oil company Adnoc has agreed to store crude oil in India's maiden strategic storage
5) Significance
a) Security of Indian community and Remittance: 26 lakh
b) Trade relation- one of the top trading partner-3rd largest after US and CHINA
c) one of the top trading partner
 d) defece: est of Strategic Security Dialogue + national security advisors + national security councils
e) US clout is decreasing + fluid security situation

INDIA AND US:

1) US support to the Pak- security assistance to pak has declined by 73% since 2011. (post osama murder)
2) US changing attitude towards Saudi Arabia
a) Iran nuclear agreement, no dependence on oil, Saudi attack on yem and freem rein to al-quida, 9/11 bill ,
stand in favour of bassar in syria, Hr violation affected relations
b) But still military support, fight terror grps
3) US visit to Cuba
a) After clvin Coolidge 1928 to go to cuba-obama

b)
c) Us removed cuba from nation sponsoring terrorism.
d) Re-operning of embassies.
e) Cuba want Guantnamo returned to Cuba
f) US: Hr violation, state control over economy
4) Area of Cooperation
a) Bilateral Investment Teaty
i) India and USA started negotiation in 2009.
ii) USA included MFN concept which will prevent foreign companies against any discriminatory behaviour.
India is not providing any such kind of MFN status.
iii) Indian BIT excluded taxation norms, incidence like vodafone is cause of concern
iv) Indian BIT doesn't address IPR issues: CL + evrgreening, US wants this to be included.
v) Investor state dispute settlement (ISDS) - international dispute resolution mechanism can only be
invoked after exhausting domestic redressal mechanism. USA objected as it may substantially narrow
scope of investment
vi) WTO trade dispute, visa fee increment by USA ,issue over Solar parts sale in India, Indian ban over
poultry import.
vii) Obj of BIT is protection of investor.
viii) Investors citing judicial delay in India as one of the reason.
b) Energy:
i) U.S. has reiterated its support for Indias membership of NSG in the face of opposition from China
ii) Nuclear Cooperation: Civil Nuclear Deal and selling of Nuclear reactors (Nuclear power corporation of
India Ltd and US Westinghouse)
iii) Shale gas
c) Climate Change:
i) Signed Paris deal
ii) Funding for Indian solar Program
d) Security:
i) US-Japana-India Conducts Malabar Exercises in Japan, close to contested islands
 ii) Cyber Security
iii) Clark Air Base and the Subic Bay Naval Base phillipine bases used by US. China objected for U.S.
tendency to militarise the region.
iv) US and India signed the Terrorist Screening center info sharing agreement
v) U.S.-India Joint Strategic Vision for Asia Pacific and the IOR statement
vi) RIMPAC: Rim of the Pacific Exercise- largest ex.
vii) white shipping technical arrangement for data sharing on comm. Shipping traffic
viii) Navy-to-Navy discussions on submarine safety
e) Defence:
i) U.S.-India Defence Technology and Partnership Act
(1) places India on par with NATO allies in terms of trade and technology transfer,
(2) institutionalises DTII and India Rapid Reaction Cell (IRRC) in the Pentagon.
(3) IRRC launched in 2012 to deepen high technology cooperation
ii) Lemoa-features
(1) provide their bases, fuel and other kinds of logistics support
(2) weapons facilities would involve non-offensive military equipment.
(3) This agreement does not involve giving away any base
iii) DTTI and in princ Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA)
(1) two pathfinder projects- co-develop a Digital Helmet Mounted Display; as well as a Joint
Biological Tactical Detection System
(2) agreement would give American aircraft and warships access to Indian military bases for logistical
purposes, Indias military will get access to U.S. bases, first proposed officially in June 2004,
(3) India would have the right to refuse assistance to U.S. troops on a case-by-case basis. focussed
against China freedom of navigation
(4) upa already signed DTII coproducing adv. weapon sys. and more proc. of weapons
(5) Washingtons goal is to cash on lucrative arms purchase and modernisation spree of the Indian
forces
(6) make the Indian military interoperable with the American military and dependent on U.S.
technology and supplies.
(7) merit:
(a) increase in coordination
(b) improving military ties.
(c) Technology will flow to india through agreements like DTTI
(d) Defence exchange under LeMOa
(e) even NATO's present allies are able to ascertain their independent foreign policy (Like Britain,
France, and Germany's stance on Iraq issue).
(f) LEMOA does not allow American troops to be stationed on Indian soil and is mainly aimed
increasing humanitarian and disaster cooperation
(g) bring modern technology and latest equipments
(h) restore the balance in South Asia to counter the hegemony of China
(i) India a net security provider in the IOR and maintain the peace of region
(j) deal only reaffirmed the importance of maritime security and ensuring the freedom of
navigation
(k) Disaster Management:- during relief operations eg Asian tsunami 2004.
(l) IOR protection.
(m) Financial savings.
(n) india would have right to refuse
(o) agreement is not about building a military alliance with the US.
(8) consequences:
(a) own personnel for guarding warehouses.
(b) india loosing its nam, India would be used a proxy to enhance US influence in the region
 (c) Dependence on Imports
(d) end of strategic autonomy that indian govt has
(e) draw india into a us led conflict with a third party eg. Lemoa could be used to launch operation
in middle east and SCS
(f) Possible loss of sovereignty of Indias foreign policy
(g) Alienate Russia (reliable partner) and china
(h) But india has diverse source of weapons eg. Russia and Israel
5) Issues:
a) Visa issues with US-High fees for H-1B and L-1 visas, H-1B and L-1 are temporary work visa
b) WTO: India initiated this dispute with the US at WTO on march
c) Isolar panel dispute involving domestic component req in Indias solar panel program
i) against Indias National Solar mission (100GW by 2022)
ii) violates National treatment and TRIMS
iii) India: only using for railways and for domestic energy
iv) WTO: yes indian rules inconsistent with the TRIMS,
v) Way ahead for India:
(1) challenged in the WTOs appellate body.
(2) Wider implication to switch to green economy.
(3) Domestic content requirement: cud generate grtr jobs.
(4) Paris climate change agreement.- pressure to increase green industries
(5) Global environmental pressure groups have criticized the WTO ruling
d) Act East Policy is convergent with the Obama administrations pivot to the East

INDIA AND VENEZUELA

1) India proposed oil for drug barter plan with Venezuela
2) This will allow Venezuela to repay some of the amount owed with oil.
3) Oil-For-Drugs Deal Likely With Crisis-Hit Venezuela

INDIA AND VIETNAM:

1) Economic
a) New trade target = US$ 15 billion by 2020
b) 93 projects in Vietnam wid total investment US 1 billion dollar.
2) Geo-strategic
a) Counter china, south china sea peaceful resolution exercise self restraint
b) Urged parties to show utmost respect to UNCLOS
c) South asean market
d) Important for Act-east policy success
e) Important partner for indias engagement in ASEAN.
f) Located at strategically imp. place and operate as gate to enter southeast from north
3) Geo-economic
a) Mallaca strait
b) Mki
c) Vietnam has rich hydrocarbon reserve
4) Diplomatic
a) UNSC support
b) Organised crime
c) Upgrade from strategic partnership to comprehensive strategic partnership
5) Energy
a) Petroleum
6) Defence
a) India extended $500 m Line of Credit to Vietnam for deeper defence cooperation
 b) elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
c) negotiating the sale of BrahMos missiles (jointly produced by India and Russia)
d) India training its submarine personnel.,
7) Connectivity
a) India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway- could extended to Vietnam.
8) US recently lifted arm-embargo from Vietnam.
9) Cooperation over space:
a) India will set up a satellite tracking and imaging centre in southern Vietnam
b) Give pics of china and scs
c) Isro will fund and setup the plant
d) Earth observation satellites have agricultural, scientific and environmental usage
e) Deepening ties but impact indo-china relations,
10) Indias importance for Vietnam
a) Against china, Hanoi has territorial dispute with Beijing
b) Capital and technology
c) Buddhism-cultural connect

INDIA AND WEST-ASIA

1) Manama declaration
a) first Ministerial Meeting of Arab-India Cooperation Forum was held Manama, capital city of Bahrain.
b) Between arab league and india
c) On terrorism+ increasing cooperation + against IS
2) Importance of West-asia
a) Energy security: 80% of its oil needs - 55 % is sourced from the Persian Gulf region.
b) Internal security and terrorism: terrorist groups, civil wars and external
c) The Indian Diaspora in Arab states is 7 million , $40 billion in remittance
d) important for Indias interest in North African region +
e) connectivity to Central Asia and Europe
3) PM has visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar, and has hosted the Abu Dhabi crown prince in Delhi.
4) boosting energy and economic ties pursue cooperation
5) in new frontier areas, such as space, telecommunications, renewable energy, food security, sustainable
development, desert ecology, and advanced healthcare
6) UAE even setting aside a fund of $75 billion to invest in Indias infrastructure needs.
7) enhancing people-to-people links through new platforms for interaction,
8) The joint statement with Iran, titled Civilizational Connect, Contemporary Context, focussed on sustaining
historic cultural ties through interactions among scholars, authors, artists, media, and sportspersons.
9) threat from terrorism and pledged to work closely with India
10) countering radicalisation through promotion of a moderate religious discourse
11) Defence: dialogue between senior officers, training, joint exercises by 3 arms of military of both countries,
12) Joint marine operations, and supply and joint development of arms and ammunition.
13) intelligence-sharing, counter-terrorism operations, capacity-building
14) The two Islamic giants, Saudi Arabia and Iran, sees the other as threatening its nationhood,
15) Saudi Arabia believes that Iran supports terror, interferes in domestic politics of neighbouring Arab states, and
is a destabilising force that has regional hegemonic aspirations.
16) Iran denies these allegations, arguing that the Saudi monarchy faces serious domestic economic and political
challenges, particularly from its restless youth who chaff against an order that is on the wrong side of every
issue in world afairs constitutionalism, political participation, human rights, gender and minority sensitivity
17) its energy security and its economic interests are linked with regional security, as is the welfare of its eight
million-strong community.
 INDIA AND WTO
1) WTO welcomed India proposal or TFA in services
2) Envisage easier temporary movement of skilled workers, to boost global services trade.
3) India reiterated proposal for TFA during informal meeting (OECD) meeting in Paris.
4) The TFA forms part of Bali Package agreed by members at the 9th Ministerial Conf. , Bali.
a) provisions for faster and more efficient customs procedures
b) through effective cooperation between customs, authorities
c) provisions for technical assistance and capacity building in this area.
d) expedite the movement, release and clearance of goods
e) India has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) on april 22.
f) will enter into force once two-thirds of WTO members have completed their domestic rectification process
g) India is the 76th WTO member to accept the TFA
h) consonance with India's 'Ease of Doing Business' initiative
i) Lowering global trade barriers, decreasing import tariffs and agricultural subsidies
5) It is being believed, especially by the proponents of the agreement that deal could add $1 trillion to global GDP
and also can generate 21 million jobs by slashing red tape and streamlining custom

INDIA-CHILE PTA
1) Chile offered concessions on 1,798 products and India reciprocated on 1,031 products.
2) 86% of Indias exports to Chile will get covered, doubling of our exports in the near future
3) enhance the trade and economic relations
4) A PTA = trading bloc gives preferential access to certain products from the participating countries.
5) This is done by reducing tariffs but not by abolishing them completely.

INDIA-MONGOLIA
1) joint training exercise, Nomadic Elephant-2016, to promote military associations
2) Aims to develop synergy and inter-operability between the armies.

NUCLEAR SECURITY SUMMIT

1.) an initiative of Obama - coordinate efforts to prevent terror acquiring nuclear weapons
2.) aim: secure all vulnerable nuclear material in four years.
3.) 1st held in Washington, DC in 2010, in Seoul in 2012 and The Hague in 2014.
Goals of 4th NSS
1.) improvements in nuclear security behaviour
2.) Strengthening global nuclear security architecture.
Major Outcome of 4th summit
3.) endorsed the central role of the IAEA in promoting nuclear security
4.) 5 action plans for UN, IAEA, Interpol, Global Initiative to Combat Nuc Weapons (GICNT) and Global Partp
against Spread of Nuc WMDs - the last two =informal arrangement of states.
5.) link between nuclear security and cyber security.
6.) Interpols Operation Fail Safe -deals with nexus between cyberattacks and nuclear risks.

What are the achievements of the NSS?

7.) > 3.2 metric tons (HEU) and plutonium have been removed.
8.) 13 countries and Taiwan have become HEU-free.
9.) security upgrades at 32 buildings storing weapons-usable fissile materials.
10.) Radiation detection equipment installed at 328 international airport to combat illicit trafficking
11.) conversion to (LEU) fuel use of 24 HEU research reactors and isotope production facilities

What has been Indias contribution to the NSS?

1.) India has played an active role in these summits.
2.) voluntary contribution of 1m dollars to the Nuclear Security Fund.
3.) Estd Global Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCENEP) in New Delhi.
4.) deployment of technology to deter and defend against nuclear terrorism.
5.) facility for medical grade Moly-99 using low enriched Uranium.
6.) Using vitrified forms of vulnerable radioisotopes such as Ceasium-137.
7.) will participate in the informal contact group, in countering nuclear smuggling.
8.) none of its research reactors will be using HEU henceforth.
9.) will host a meeting of Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism in 2017.
10.) conference on countering nuclear smuggling is also being planned with Interpol.
11.) support IAEAs role in nuclear security - USD 1 million to the nuclear security fund.
12.) workshop with IAEA on International Physical Protection Assessment Service (IPPAS)
13.) will join trilateral initiative of NSS chairs circulated at IAEA by subscribing states
14.) focus on the threat to nuclear security posed by state sponsorship of terrorist

Criticism of NSS
1.) process limited to non-military purposes, 83 % of nuclear material is outside its ambit.
2.) not been able to amend the IAEAs convention on nuclear safety.
3.) no legally binding outcome at the end of six years
4.) military facilities are treated as national responsibilities + no obligations

Limitations of the Summit

5.) The action plans = non-binding for states.
6.) not attended by Russian President. -- largest nuclear weapons.
7.) No tangible progress in direction of complete nuclear disarmament.

Why india is so active:

1.) Reliance on nuclear energy in the coming years (5%).
2.) 20 nuclear plants in operation with capacity 4.8 GW
3.) Energy poverty is a major obstacle in indias growth
4.) The Integrated Energy Policy visualises the installed capacity rising to 1200 GW by 2035, with nuclear power
contributing 60 GW.
5.) Threat of terrorist acquiring nuclear bomb
6.) Possibility of sabotaging an existing nuclear facility to create an accident.
7.) Possibility of use of radioactive material to create a dirty bomb.

Outcomes:
Nuclear security fund, global centre for excellence, expanding activity of IAEa.
1.) India and Pakistan will reduce their nuclear arsenal
2.) Us and russia are asked to lead
3.) IS obtaining nuclear weapon is one of the major threat.
4.) There is no legally binding agreement even after 6 years

Indias contributions:
1) India was moving to safer technologies: use of Cesium 137 only in its vitrified form in medical equipment,
moving away from powder and liquid forms
2) enhance engagement with the IAEA, the Interpol
3) Terrorists are using three features: extreme violence, using cyber tools, states involvement-> which is very
dangerous
4) Real time tracking of the radioactive sources and setup a network of 3 emergency response centre
5) Equipping all major seaports and airports with radiation detection machines
6) India used the platform to demand membership of NSG
7) Indian exports guidelines have been harmonised with nsg

PARIS AGREEMENT
1) enhance the implementation of the Convention and recognizes the principles of equity and cbdr
salient features of the Paris Agreement:
1) recognizes the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption with developed
countries taking the lead
2) actions must be undertaken to keep the rise below 2 Celsius over pre-industrial levels, persue for 1.5 degree.
3) reflecting principle of cbdr, equity
4) efforts through nationally determined contributions (NDCs)
5) not mitigation-centric and includes adaptation, loss and damage
6) Pre-2020 actions are also part of the decisions.
7) developed country urged to scale financial support to US $ 100b by 2020 for mitigation and adaptation
8) Acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries.
9) Present status:
a) 87 Parties have ratified (including india) of 197 Parties to the Convention
b) will enter into force on 4 November 2016
Challenges:
1) appropriate financial flows, a new technology framework and an enhanced capacity building is req.
2) to sharply cut emissions intensity of GDP by 2020.
3) Energy, transport and infrastructure are key areas
4) doubling cess on coal, and keeping fuel prices high using taxation are welcome,
5) poor backing from State governments slow progress in net metering and transfer subsidies
6) New buildings should also be required to conform to energy efficiency codes in all States
7) national Electric Mobility Mission Plan 7m hybrid vehicles by 2020. But infra dev req. before this.
8) The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and took effect in 2005, setting for the first time quantified
greenhouse gas reduction commitments for developed countries between 2008 and 2012. As the only legally
binding international instrument, it has been extended until 2020, when the Paris Agreement will enter into
force.

SIGNING NPT NOT NEEDED FOR NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP MEMBERSHIP : INDIA
1) rejected Chinas contention that it must sign the NPT to get membership of the SG, saying France was
included without signing NPT.

Obamas visit to Cuba

1) Remarkable moment in global diplomacy
2) Ideological clashes between Capitalism and Communism may no longer relevant
3) Case of North Korea Good result experienced by reaching out to Cuba may be replicated to North Korea.
4) India and China despite wide diplomatic outreach normalizing relations is difficult due to border disputes in
North and Eastern side, economic rivalry/competition for resources, support to enemy countries (Pakistan) etc

EFFECT OF POLICIES AND POLITICS OF DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ON INDIAS INTERESTS, INDIAN
DIASPORA .

Military Exercise
1) Exercise Malabar is a trilateral naval exercise involving the US, Japan and India as permanent partners.
a) interoperability amongst the three navies
Global Peace Index-2016
1) Product of Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)
2) collated by the Economist Intelligence Unit
3) Iceland has been ranked as the most peaceful

AARDO- African Asian Rural Development Organization

1) headquarters in New Delhi,
2) inter-Governmental organization established in 1962
3) objective - cooperation among African Asian Region
4) Eradicating thirst, hunger, illiteracy, disease and poverty in the region.
5) AARDO currently has 31 countries of the African Asian Region under its fold

Balochistan Issue
1) Khanate of Kalat state refused to join the pak when it was formed.
2) Ruler of kalat signed treaty, but brothers, followers cont. to fight.
3) located in South West Pakistan, 1/2nd of Paks territory
4) mere 3.6% of the total population of Pakistan
5) 13 million people, mostly Balochis
6) underdevd, share border with iran and afgan. imp in geo-
political matters
7) high concentration of resources eg gas, oil, copper,gold.
8) Pak Army moved in Balochistan, captured Kalat-1948
9) cases of military atrocities-torture, arbitrary arrests,
10) Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)= separatist group
11) Root cause of conflict between baloch and pak
a) Unstable Politics- poor representation in politics,
b) Military coup in 1999 that brought Parvez Musharraf into power increased alienation
c) Ethnic difference: It remains the single biggest fault line
d) Resources and Development Issues: Unequal distribution of resource revenues
e) Human Rights: 8000 people were kidnapped + Extra-judicial killings
f) Terrorist Organizations and Islamic Extremism: Al Qaeda, Tahreek Taliban are active in Baluchistan
g) Foreign Support: Pakistan alleges india and us role in destabilization
h) Education: rt to education has been denied to them as told by baluch ppl.
i) Gwadar issue- Baluchs have been totally excluded from the construction of the project
j) Gas pipeline issue: targeted several times by the Baluchs militia to show their disagreement
12) Solution
a) Pakistan shud give problem of Balochistan urgent attention-sensitive to demands,
b) adopt a multipronged antiinsurgency strategy to placate the Baloch poeple.
c) urgent socio economic measure + justice and fair play
d) legitimate rights of the people of Balochistan.
13) Why india is keen
a) Maintained silence on Baluchistan bcoz we maintain that we do not interfere in internal matters.
b) reminding the neighbours of the atrocities they mete out upon their own countrymen
c) proof of Indias role in the region.
d) criticised the killing of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Shahbaz Khan Bugti
e) pak accused Delhi of collaborating with Kabul and Tehran in destabilising Balochistan.

BBIN
1) India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh signed Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) for the Regulation of Passenger,
Personnel and Cargo Vehicular Traffic.

2) seamless movement of people and goods for benefit and integration of region and its economic development.
3) sub-regional co-operation in area of Connectivity which involves transport as well as energy.
4) The talks of a similar agreement with Myanmar and Thailand are going on currently.
5) The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement was signed on 15 June 2015
6) vehicles to enter any of the four nations without the need for trans-shipment of goods from one country's truck
to another's at the border.
7) cargo vehicles are tracked electronically, permits are issued online and sent electronically to all land ports.
8) Vehicles are fitted with an electronic seal that alerts regulators every time the container door is opened
9) Kolkata on 1 November 2015. The truck traveled 640 km to reach Agartala via Dhaka.- earlir 1500km
10) time and cost savings that the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement would bring
11) Bhutan, he says, had some reservations about seamless entry of third country vehicles as it might harm
interests of local transporters
12) Cargo trucks often had to be off-loaded at the border and also go through customs clearance. This led to delays
and often also caused damage to the goods.
13) The steps being taken to facilitate seamless movement of cargo vehicles will give a major boost to trade and
business in the sub-region

Brexit
1) Effect on Britain
a) to look for new non European partners.
2) Indias importance in brexit scenario for UK
a) LABOR
b) INVESTMENT:, it can invest here, vice versa
c) JOB GENERATION
 d) MARKET ACCESS: India can serve as a market for UK
3) Why India may not be important?:
a) might chose china over India for most investments since it offers projects like OBOR beneficial to UK.
b) UK and India share strong history, culture and language
4) 52% people voted for brexit
5) 2nd referendum, first being in 1975-62% ppl voted in favour of stay
6) Why exit-> ppl believe nothing to gain, billion of pound has to spend as
EU fee, EU control over day-day politics increasing,
7) Britain joined in 1973-always remained sceptic, uses pound instead of
Euro, not participate in schengen border-free zone
8) Effect of Brexit
a) Economy
i) Less fdi, pound depreciation, investment moving from UK t
ii) London may lose its prominence place as financial Hub
iii) EU = largest trading partner of Uk,could put it into recession
iv) Mkt volatility
v) Other country may follow the suit
vi) Could shrink uk economy by 3.8-7.5% by 2030-depending on EU-Uk negotitation
b) Migrants
i) British may refuse the present immigration laws-allowing free mvt
ii) This will be faced by both Britain and EU cntries like Poland and Lithuania
c) Threat to unity of kingdom: UK might break-England, Wales, north Ireland and Scotland
d) Scottish National Party declared that it would block the exit from the European Union
e) May hold a second independence referendum from U.K
f) scots would oppose the English domination
g) similarly, border tension across north and south Ireland may increase as it is presently controlled by eu
norms, allowing free mvt of ppl
9) Effect on India
a) Mkt volatility
b) impact the inflow from foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to India
c) separate headquarters for Europe and Britain might crop up
d) Weaker pound to benefit Indian tourists, students., redrafting of FTA text.
e) Uk may no longer remain an attractive destination for Indian FDI as before.
f) could force India to build trading partnership with other EU nations to access EU market.
g) With good English population-india can complement Uks future needs.
h) EU reserved scholaships in British universities can now go to students of other countries.
10) Future
a) Member can withdraw from EU under art. 50 of Lisbon treaty, then there is an agreement on withdrawal
b) Once invoked-2 years window is given to negotiate a treaty,
c) Britain may retain access to EU mkt as in case of Norway
i) Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland = member of European Economic Area (EEA).
ii) separate secretariat in Brussels to manage relationship between the EU and EEA.
iii) make contributions to EU budget + access to market while staying out of the EU.
d) Overall brexit would have large damaging effect than positive.
11) Impact on EU:
a) Pandora's Box.
b) contagion, calls by far-right leaders in France and the Netherlands
c) urged Britain to leave as "soon as possible"
d) Anti-immigration groups will gain ground in EU.
e) hit Europes fragile growth. Rapid depreciation of Euro
f) may adopt strong immigration act.
 g) rise of eurosceptic, anti-establishment parties.
h) Financial impact: UK is one of the larger contributors.
i) Political impact: UK is a permanent member of UNSC
j) Expansion of EU: impact on those countries (Like Turkey) that are willing to join European Union.
1) largely because of Europes migration crisis and the interminable euro mess problem arise

2)
China and Iran Relations
1) Integration into New Silk Road connectivity proje
2) Train started: container train will cover a journey of 10,399 km in its maiden journey to West Asia in 14 days.
3) security cooperation intelligence sharing, counter-terror measures, mill. exchanges
4) china will support iran in SCO
5) iran is imp for: OBOR (due to strategic location), mkt, inv. opportunity, no influence of US
6) during sanctions: china supported un resolution but also expanded trade relations.
a. Became largest trading partner, trade increased from 3b$ to 50 b$
b. Chinese fighter jets refuelled in Iran, Chinese warships paid a visit to the Iranian port

China and Pakistan

1) CPEC
 a. highway from Kashgar in China to Gwadar in Balochistan, (edge of the Persian Gulf)
b. will give rise to jobs
c. includes roads, railway lines, pipelines and other infrastructure.
d. Chinas contribution to paks FDi has improved
2) Join hands to block Indias entry into Nuclear Suppliers Group
a. China would either support NSG entry for both India and Pakistan, or none of them.
b. pakistan to write to all NSG Participating Governments about its wish to join group

China impact on Indias relations

1) Trade & Investment : limited the Indian trade and investment Ex : Trade and investment with Nepal & SAARC
has continuously been on declining or stagnant).
2) Soft power & influence : development aids, line of credits, grants in dollars eroded India's influence
3) Dependency : reducing dependency on India. Ex : Transit route for Nepali goods (Landlocked country)
4) Security challenges : incresed Chinese footprints in Bangladesh, Chumbi valley of Bhutan, CPEC
5) Tensions with Pak : blockage of India's every move in UN
6) Non-membership : Hamper India's membership in various fora like APEC.
7) Non-productivity : Pak's argument for including China into SAARC non-performance of SAARC.
8) BIMSTEC : China's investment in regional connectivity infrastructure may revive BIMSTEC..
9) Trade : increased regional connectivity has indeed revive the potential of India's trade (Ex: ASEAN).
10) New Regional groupings : BBIN, Bay of Bengal etc.

CONF. ON INTERACTION AND CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES IN ASIA (CICA)

1) 26 members-by Kazakh president
2) 5th meeting at Beijing.
3) Chinese president unveiled security doctrine to counter U.S. pivot
4) Maritime dispute over SCS
a) danger to freedom of navigation
b) China has objected outside powers, or internationalisation,

Crude Oil Prices Are Falling

1) Us shale gas and fracking boom
2) Iran-saudi conflict- mass production
3) Reducing demand from china and other nations.
4) Focus on renewables.
5) Lifting of santions from iran

FARC rebels and Columbia

1) A majority of the electorate in Columbia voted No
2) Agreement btw govt of Juan Manuel Santos and guerrillas of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
3) Public was angered by insufficient punishment
4) FARCs past crimes were too much to forgive.
5) justice is being sacrificed for achieving peace.
6) 1948 assassination of populist firebrand Jorge Eliecer Gaitan political bloodletting known as The Violence.
7) What the rebels wanted?
a) sought to make conservative oligarchy share power and prioritized land reform
b) FARC lost popularity as it turned to kidnapping, extortion and taxes on cocaine production
8) Involvement of the US:
a) In 2000, to counter drug-trafficking and the insurgency under Plan Colombia,
9) What next?
a) The rejection left the administration wrong footed and
b) re-imagine a peace that is acceptable to the people of Colombia,
c) unclear what the path forward looks like.
d) negotiations will continue in Havana, Cuba.
10) FARC and supporters feel that group has conceded too much in its quest for a settlement.
11) unlikely that the whole deal will be scrapped,

FIRST INDIA ARAB MINISTERIAL Conference

1) Arab league has 21 members: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya,
Mauritania, Moroco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen (NO IRAN)
2) Conference held in Bahraini capital Manama.
3) leaders reviewed Arab-Indian cooperation and adopted the Manama Declaration
4) Global Issues
a. UNSC Reforms - expansion in both permanent and non-permanent membership
b. Terrorism-
5) Regional Issues:
a. Arab Israel Conflict resolve on line of unsc and Madrid Peace conference.
b. Syria issue and
c. Irael-palestine conflict: Israel should end its occupation of the Palestinian "Arab territories it seized in
1967 and release prisoners.

Forum On China-Africa Cooperation (Focac)

1) African=global attraction: natural resources, demography and socio-economic development
2) China have made huge investments in the continent.
3) The Johannesburg Summit and the 6th Ministerial Conference held in Johannesburg December 2015
4) About the FOCAC 2015:
a) official forum: boosted China-Africa relationship and driver for China-Africa cooperation in various areas.
b) There have been five summits held to date
c) The next FOCAC at the Ministerial level will be held in China in 2018.
d) Importance for China: India-Africa summit with wide participation to boost India-Africa relations.
5) Significance
a) attended with the participation of almost 50 African Heads of State/ Government.
b) Summit ended with the issue of the Johannesburg Declaration and an Action Plan.
c) financial assistance package of $ 60 billion was announced by President Xi.
d) Theme Africa-China Progressing together: Win-win cooperation, addressed major aspects of China-
Africa relations.
6) Changed context:
a) slow-down in the Chinese economy. China is to move from investment and manufacture led growth to one
driven by consumption.
b) On African side, reduced demand from China for resources and fall in commodities prices, decreased
export, budgetary problems.
7) emphasis on non-interference in internal affairs and rejection of use or threat
a) significant is the reference to respect for each others core interests.
b) Upgrade Strategic Partsp to Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership.

Hague code of Conduct

1) India has joined The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC).
2) Indias joining -> readiness to further strengthen the global non-proliferation regimes.
3) will not have any impact on the national security + on countrys missile programmes.
4) global ballistic missile proliferation regime established in 2002.
5) voluntary legally non-binding multilateral body preventing spread of ballistic missiles that deliver wmd.
6) Only multilateral code in area of disarmament.
7) Does not ban ballistic missiles, calls for restraint in production, testing, and export.
8) Presently, there are 138 signatories.
9) China, Pakistan, Israel and Iran have not joined
10) Meant to supplement the MTCR but its membership is not restricted.
11) Introduces transparency eg. Annual declarations, Pre-launch notifications for missile & space launch programs.
12) Austria is the administrative Central Contact of Code

Diplomatic immunity
1) Vienna Convention, 1961 awards this so that diplomats may act without any fear
2) Immunity vs impunity
3) Aggrieved country can declare the accused as persona non grata and expel him
4) Diplomatic relations can also be suspended
5) If the concerned country gives a go ahead, India can try him, which is highly unlikely
6) Further, India can also pursue the case in respective country, but thats tedious exercise given
7) the fact that victims have to travel to that country for all hearings
8) But India has also not acted fairly in case of its diplomats committing misconducts in NZ and US
9) Bad reputation to the country concerned is also a deterrent

Impact of the Iran and P5+1 Nuclear Summit

1) other Arab nations may start to pursue nuclear
ambitions.
2) Arab states are autocratic polities,
3) without the checks and balances of a
democratic system such as India
4) West Asia is the hot-bed of ethnic conflicts and
nerve center of terrorism
5) Profileration may happen
6) There are two uranium enrichment facilities in
Iran - Natanz and Fordo
7) Iran had almost 20,000 centrifuges
8) Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it
will be limited to installing no more than 5,060
of the oldest and least efficient centrifuges at Natanz for 10 years
9) Iran's uranium stockpile will also be reduced by 98% to 300kg
10) It must also keep its level of enrichment at 3.67%
11) research and development will take place only at Natanz and be limited for eight years.
12) No enrichment will be permitted at Fordo for 15 years

India-pakistan MFN issue

6) accorded in 1996 as per Indias commitments as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
7) WTOs General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) WTO member countries should treat all the other
members equally as most-favoured trading partners.
8) MFN suggests special treatment, it actually means non-discrimination.
9) calls in India for tough action against its neighbour, including the revocation of the MFN status.
10) India could consider making use of a security exception clause to deny the MFN status
11) because Article 21(b)(iii) of GATT provide this facility
12) Pakistan is yet to grant the MFN tag to India (and Israel).
13) If India revokes the MFN status symbolic impact , hit Indias exports , India losing goodwill in South Asian
14) The move may also not go down well at the WTO-level

IRAN vs Saudi Arabia and West Asian Crisis

1) Saudi Arabia executed leading Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
2) protesters in Shia-majority Iran attacked the Saudi Embassy.
3) Saudis cut diplomatic relations over attack on embassy.
4) Shia cntry: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Bharain (ruled by sunnis), Lebanon
5) Sunni cntry: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Sudan, India, Pakistan.
6) Why rift : (theo, ideo, politico, eco differences)
 a) Consider Saudi monarchy as ilegitimate
b) Diff. over rightful heir after Prophet Muhammad.
c) Iranian revolution-1979- shia took over- supported shia millitia
d) Saudi formed alliance called GCC with sunni groups
e) Arab spring saw iran, Syria as alliance and Saudi in opposition
f) P5 iran nuclear deal opposed by Saudi, iran= major threat for Saudi
7) Implications for India:
a) Iran is imp: Bandar abbas, chahbar port, central asia, afgan, crude and trade, TAPI
b) Saudi is imp: several indian companies tcs, Larson turbo, remittances-max ppl
c) West asia stability =crucial for energy security, dispora, economy,
d) India as sunnis and shia so balance out both
e) But such intervention may carry conflict at home
f) Share cordial relation with both, why try and punch above its weight
g) Our panchsheel and nam policy

Islamic Military Alliance

1) Launched by Saudi Arabia to Fight Terrorism.
2) military alliance of 34 countries against ISIL and other counter-terrorist activities.
3) includes nations with large armies such as Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt + militaries such as Libya and Yemen.
4) African nations such as Mali, Chad, Somalia and Nigeria are also members.
5) to calm West that Muslim world isn't doing enough to combat terrorism , extremism
6) Issues:
a. important Muslim countries-Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Indonesia, are not part
b. exclusion of Shiite nations reinforce belief that Saudi alliance is motivated by a sectarian rivalry
c. It is not entirely clear what tasks the new alliance would undertake

Japan and India civil nuclear deal:

Concerns:
1) India not a signatory of NPT
2) Japan victim of nuclear hazard : public opinion against.
3) Japana wants nullification clause allow Japan to stop Nuclear Cooperation with India if the latter conducts
nuclear trade.
4) Japan wants IAEA inspection of indian nuclear facilities.
Importance for india
1) ambitious INDC target of 40% non coal energy by 2030.
2) strategic partnership with Japan.
3) bargaining power while dealing with other countries. Eg: Australia
4) NPT insignificant for India, and Indias attempts for entry into Nuclear Suppliers Group NSG will get a new
push.

Kasmir Issue, Baltistan and Gilgit region

1) the issue here includes historical, economic, political,
social, cultural , human rights.
2) most politically disturbed regions
3) breeding ground for the separatists and Pakistan-
cultural barrier
4) illegal occupation of Gilgit and Baltistan By Pakistan
and its illogical demand over Kashmir
5) renamed as Northern Area of Pakistan, put under
direct cntrl of Islamabad.
6) Current Status: council is there, cntrl all resources.
 a) Do not find any mention in Pak constitution. Neither independent nor have provincial status.
b) India see it as its territory, illegally occupied by Pakistan.
c) part of Jk, an integral part of India, unanimous parliamentary resolution in 1994.
7) China role: 1963, pak trasfered shaksham valley to China.
a) Build karakorm highway linking kashgar in Xinxiang with gilgit.
b) CPEC passes thru this region.

Mercousour Issue:
1) Brazil has asked India to expand its commercial footprints in South America.
2) push for greater presence of India in MERCOSUR.
3) India has over 450 tariff lines with MERCOSUR, want to raise the tariff line to 4000.
4) MERCOSUR covers apart from Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Venezuela.
5) What is MERCOSUR?
6) Mercosur = sub-regional bloc. full members: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay,
Venezuela.
7) Associate countries: Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Suriname.
8) established in 1991.

MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES-migration

1) UN Refugee Agency, refugees people are forced to flee due to armed conflict or
persecution
2) migrants choose to move in search of a better life
3) International organisation for migration
a) Provide assistance to the migrants-20 m in 2015, 9,500 staff and 450 offices
b) Founded in the wake of the World War II
c) granted Permanent Observer status to the UN General Assembly in 1992,
4) NEW YORK DECLARATION ON MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
a) 21 m refugees, almost 41 m internally displaced, 3.2 m asylum seekers
b) Declaration is to save life of ppl, protect rights and share responsibilities.
c) coordinated and humane response
d) Aims to address
i) Human rights protection, including womens and girls.
ii) Provison of education
iii) Prevent sexual based gender violence
iv) Support countries rescuing, receiving and supporting refugees
v) No detention of children
vi) condemn xenophobia against refugees
vii) humanitarian and development assistance to those countries most affected
e) No binding commitments
5) Indian capabilities
a) dIndia has signed neither the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention nor its 1967 Protocol, which has
b) 140 signatories. However, India continues to host a large population of refugees and they are treated
c) humanely. India permits the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) to operate
d) respecting its certification of refugees. According to the UNHCR, there were 204,600 refugees, asylum
e) seekers and others of concern in India in 2011
f) The Supreme Court of India in the National Human Rights Commission vs. State of Arunachal Pradesh
g) case had ruled that the fundamental rights of Chakma refugees were covered by Article 21
h) Moreover, India can provide financial aid to war torn countries
i) d
6) UNICEF REPORT ON REFUGEES
a) Uprooted: The growing crisis for refugee and migrant children
b) Findings
 i) 50 m children have been uprooted
ii) the risk of drowning on sea crossings,
iii) malnourishment, trafficking,
iv) rape and even murder, they often face xenophobia and discrimination.
v) 1 in 200 children in the world is a child refugee.
vi) Child refugees has increased by two times from 2005 to 2015.
vii) Asia is home to 2 in 5 of the worlds child migrants
c) Actions
i) Protecting + ending detention + keeping families together + education, health + combat xenophobia,
discrimination and marginalization.
d) Convention on the Rights of the Child

OBOR- One belt one road initiative.

1) 34 countries have already signed cooperation agreements with China.
2) aims to rejuvenate ancient trade routesSilk Routeswhich will open up markets
3) Chinas plan is to construct roads, railways, ports, and other infrastructure
4) Whats good about this initiative?
5) new initiative aims to integrate the south Asian region
6) will link three continents Asia, Europe and Africa.
7) massive overseas investment in OROB will speed-up the internationalization of the Renminbi.
8) strategic response to the military re-balancing of the United States to Asia.
9) several structural challenges
10) First, the perception, do not inspire trust
11) unilateral ideation and declaration + lack of transparency
12) China is projecting its military and political presence along OBOR
13) Chinese vision document lays out five layers of connectivity: policy, physical, economic, financial and human.
14) This belt runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
a. China may emerge as a party in Kashmir dispute in future
b. runs through Gilgit-Baltistan region in POK
15) MSR challenges Indias presence as a maritime power in the context of South China Sea
16) China through OROB is making inroads into our Himalayan neighbourhood which have been traditionally under
Indias sphere of influence
17) OROB initiative may not be commercially rewarding.
18) India and OBOR:
19) China now a USD 10 trillion economy, Indias two trillion
20) two sides of the same coin. both a threat and an opportunity..
21) China is keen to have India on board for achieving the Asian Century.

22) China plans to have free-trade agreements with 65 countries

23) In April 2016, an agreement was signed with the UN (ESCAP), treating implementation of the OROB initiative as
promoting regional cooperation.
24) Connected to Central and West Asia and Europe by land
25) access to energy resources of Central Asia and reduce dependence on Pakistan
26) integrate South Asia as a trading bloc.
27) BCIM corridor could become part of this broader network
28) Aims to connect major Eurasian economies thru infra, trade and investment.
29) network of overland road and rail routes, oil and natural gas pipelines etc.
30) stretch from Xian in central China Central Asia Moscow, Rotterdam, and Venice
31) Road to Afganistan: first cargo train to Afghanistan,
32) Eurasian has become pivot: part of OBOR to enhance Eurasian connectivity thorough silk road eco belt and msr
33) Beijings partnership with Moscow: Russia was a major partner in building Chinese military deterrent (S-400 air
defense deal, su-35 fighter planes), China has also signed a $400b import deal with Russia for the next 30 years.
34) Eurasia is the combined continent of Europe and Asia. All countries in Europe and Asia are part of Eurasia.
There are 103 countries with major being China, Russia, India and ASEAN.
35) China is focusing on Eurasia bcoZ:
a. Market, OBOR, economy, India making inroads
b. Focus shift from west part to east such as Tibet and Xinxiang
c. Rising tensions btw Russia and USA, and china emerging as natural ally of Russia
d. India has not given any official position on OBOR policy

Organization of Islamic Cooperation is an organization of 57 Muslim countries

1) affirmed Pakistan's proposal on J&K that calls for self determination of the people.
2) J&K is India's integral part and India is not a member of OIC
3) Organization holds less weight in international arena
4) Division between Iran and Saudia Arabia on grounds of Shia and Sunni have rendered OIC dysfunctional
5) OIC had failed to deal with Iran-Iraq war and US occupation of Iraq and hence raise question over OIC's
relevance
RCEP ASEAN + JANSIC
1) Negotiated by 16 countries,
2) Harmfull provisions
a) Doctors without Borders, an international NGO has warned India
b) Data exclusivity = monopoly protection for a drug, over and above the patent protection
c) could reduce access to affordable medicines in many developing countries.
d) Patent extensions, restrictive rules on exceptions to copyright, and dozens of anti-consumer measures.
e) compel govt. to commit to newer TRIPS provisions like TRIPS plus including Patent Law Treaty (Geneva,
2000).
3) Among 3 mega FTAs , other are (1) TPP (2) TTIP (Trans -atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership btw US-EU).
4) between 10 states ASEAN (Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and the six states with ASEAN has existing FTAs (Australia, China, India, Japan,
South Korea and New Zealand).
5) RCEP negotiations were formally launched in Nov 2012 at the ASEAN Summit in Cambodia.
6) viewed as an alt. to the TPP trade agreement, which includes the US but excludes China.
7) India has agreed to provide similar tariff cuts to all RCEP members
a) Earlier india had 3 layer tariff.
b) Implications:
i) ASEAN + 6 region becomes a large integrated market
ii) India to offer tariff reduction in more commodities to China.
iii) $52.7 billion trade deficit with only $9 billion of exports in 2015-16. This will further impact. steel
sector, faces risk
iv) further undermine our Make In India programme
v) increase drug costs
c) Challenges
i) fears of China dumping its excess capacity in several items including steel,
ii) not much progress on the services front
iii) India has not to gain in getting market access in goods due to poor infrastructure and weak manufactg
iv) trade in services remains a contentious issue
v) will just be adding numerous new concession lists.
d) Significance of RCEP for India
i) ever-greening of patents were dropped
ii) Regional trade agreements: imp to remain within RCEP, not part of other mega regional trade
iii) India may emerge as an attractive investment destination for China.
iv) Employment potential
8) Way forward
a) d India could put forward a two-tier proposal on goods that will treat China differently from the remaining
RCEP countries.
b) include a larger negative list (goods that will be protected from tariff cuts),
c) v longer time-frame for reducing / eliminating tariffs

Reducing Nuclear Proliferation

1) politics on entry to exclusive nuclear regimes such as NSG, Australia group, Wassennar Agreement and MTCR
2) growing irrelevance of discriminatory nuclear treaties such as CTBT and NPT
3) Rampant horizontal proliferation by states such as China to nations like Pakistan and North Korea
4) Vertical proliferation by existing nuclear powers leading to a nuclear race of sorts to secure Balance of Power.
5) West that applauds Israel and punishes Iran, North Korea.
6) Lack of genuine initiatives in the UNO that can lead to nuclear non-proliferation.
7) New START between US-Russia are simply a chimera.

RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT (R2P)

1) R2P or RtoP - by all member of UN at 2005 to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing
2) Pillars of R2P - 3
a) State = primary responsibility for protecting populations
b) international community to encourage and assist States in fulfilling this
c) use appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian and other means to protect
3) If State failing, the international community collective action
Criticism of R2P doctrine
4) used selectively for regime change r/t humanitarian causes.
5) Western variety ignores causes and produces poor outcomes.
6) Libya: uprising against govt in 2011 opportunity to test R2P.
7) UN resolution authorized NATO to protect civilians under threatregime change.
8) NATO exceeded the mandate of U.N.
9) Israel- Palestine: R2P not came during Israels bombing of Gaza in Operation Cast Lead
10) Syria: no consensus about military intervention due to past mandate over-reach.

Russia and Japan Dispute:

1) territorial dispute between then over the Kuril Islands.( north of Japans island of Hokkaido,)
2) Japan rejected russias offer to return the two out of four.

Shangri-La Dialogue
1) 15th Shangri la dialog happened in Singapore
2) hosted annually by independent think-tank International Institute for Strategic Studies
3) attended by defence ministers and military chiefs of 28 Asia-Pacific countries
4) also called IISS Asia Security Summit, launched in 2002 by British think tank Intl Institute for Strategic Studies
5) attended by legislators, academic experts, journalists and business delegates f

South China sea

1) Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), Hague, Netherlands, ruled that Chinas claims of SCS has no legal basis
2) Phillipines vs china case:
a) Phillipine lodged case under UNCLOS in 2013,
b) PCA rule that china has no legal basis
c) Over 9-dash line,
3) SCS is busy waterway, SLOC, resource rich with numerous oil and gas reserves
4) Islands of disputes: Spratly
Islands, Paracel Islands and
Scarborough Shoal
5) Beijing may declare ADIZ over
SCS:
a) Means international flights
will have to take permissions
b) Already ADIZ over east china
sea
6) Who claims what:
a) China: 9-dash line
b) Viet: spratly + paracel come
under it since 17th C.
c) Phillip + china lay claim over:
Scarborough shoal
d) Malaysia and brunei also
claim something in SCS
7) Importance:
a) Strategic reasons:
i) The SLOC from West Asia to China - Malaccan Strait, Sunda Strait, Lombok Strait
 ii) PLA navy wants extensive domination over Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean
iii) Asia Pacific = new focal point btw US and China.
b) Economic reasons:
i) huge reserves of natural resources (7b barrel) + gas (900 trillion cubic feet)
ii) rich fishing grnd
iii) Major transshipment route
8) The Ruling:
a) Wrt Sovereignty
i) jurisdiction over ocean space derives solely from jurisdiction over land
ii) when countries became part of UNCLOS, earlier historical claims had to be given up
b) Wrt Islands
i) islands are uninhabited, cant support human life, submerges in High Tide
ii) This is a rejection of Chinese motivation in SCS of reclaiming islands
c) Wrt Construction Activities
i) China violated the spirit of UNCLOS through aggressive posturing in South China Sea
9) Impact of the judgement:
a) China rejects the award, diplomatic fallout will be huge
b) tempered down rhetoric of China wrt countries of ASEAN
c) slightly greater balancing in Chinas relationship with Japan and USA
d) Aggressive posturing will create a dent in the responsible power tag that China covets.
10) Whether Sanctions can be applied on China:
a) Unlikely, as China currently is the powerhouse of world economy
11) Possible escape routes for China:
a) Bilateral dialogue
b) Joint management of fishing zones
c) Faster negotiation with ASEAN -Code of Conduct
12) Impact on indias act east
13) imed at promoting economic cooperation,
14) cultural ties and develops strategic relationship
15) Foremost importance is related to trade and Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs)
16) India needs support of virtually all partiesfor successful realisation of act east
17) September, 2014, India and Vietnam issued a joint communiqu opposing threat
18) June, 2015, India also sent a four ship naval flotilla to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Australi
19) Impact on relations with other countries such as Japan, Vietnam etc:
a) Enhancing their own military capabilities
b) Bolstering relations with other stakeholders. Eg India planning to sell Brahmos to Viet,
20) Impact on East China Sea:
a) US not signatory to UNCLOS, deploys fleet within 3 nautical miles from Chinese coasts.
b) Japans amendment of Article 6, bitter dispute with china over Senkaku/Diayou Islands
21) All these factors make East China Sea potentially more volatile
22) Impact on India China Bilateral Relation
a) India resolved its dispute with Bangladesh over territorial waters under UNCLOS
b) provide greater leveraging power to India wrt negotiating with China over NSG

Sykes-picot agreement
1) officially known as the Asia Minor Agreement,
2) was a secret 1916 agreement between Great Britain and France to which the Russian Empire assented.
3) defined mutually agreed spheres of influence and control in Southwestern Asia.
4) Premises: Triple Entente would succeed in defeating the Ottoman Empire during World War I.
5) it was signed 16 May 1916
6) France got control of south-eastern Turkey, northern Iraq, Syria
7) Russia was to get Istanbul, the Turkish Straits and Armenia
8) negotiated by British diplomat Mark Sykes and a French counterpart, Franois Georges-Picot.
9) Sykes-Picot defined the borders of the modern states of Syria and Iraq, handing the former over to the French
and the latter over to the UK.
10) Islamic State militant group has made the elimination of the borders defined by Sykes-Picot a crucial part of its
propaganda.
11) This pact had utter disregard for local communities and ethnic groups(e.g. Kurds) and entire middle east has
been dissected into "sphere of influence" of the then powers
12) sealed the fate of many ethnic minority of the region.
13) Created situation conducive for authoritarian rule
14) led to intra-regional rivalry ,sectarianism and unrest
15) * Policy of divide-and-rule that the French and British used to sustain their power, led to conflicts and has
deepened the differences.
16) For example- In Syria, the French cultivated the previously disenfranchised Alawite minority as an ally against
the Sunni majority, thereby fostering their sense of identity & conflict with local residents of other ethnicities.
This was similar to what their partners in crime, British did with Muslims in India.
17) * The boundaries of Middle East countries were arbitrarily fixed by the Western powers after Turkey was
defeated in World War I and the French and British mandates were set up.
18) * Further, The areas that were allotted to Israel under the UN partition plan had all been under the control of
the Ottomans.
19) * Forceful settlement of Jews in Israel by the support of BRITISH mandates has led to perpetual conflict for
boundaries and expansion among Israel and Palestine.
20) Due to the industrial and transportation revolution that followed , European nations were heavily dependent
on oil supplies from Middle east and wanted to make sure that oil producing states had friendly governments.
So, they stated interfering in local politics and also influenced the drawl of boundary for their motives as the
outsiders.
21) Till this day those mandates of the FRENCH AND BRITISH have caused so much chaos, confusion and war and is
definitely a low point in the history of the region.The impact of the agreement is still being felt today. Most
recently, the Islamic State militant group has made the elimination of the borders defined by Sykes-Picot a
crucial part of its propaganda.

Syrian Crisis and Impacts

1) Civil war started in 2011 and till now it has claimed around 2,50,000 lives
2) Russia has bolstered its military presence
a) launched first strike against IS militant in October 2015.
b) also targets the insurgent groups backed by the West and Turkey
3) It is an assertion of rise of Russia
4) Russia wants to use its intervention in West Asia as a bargaining tool to stop
Western support in Ukraine.
5) Iran has also sent its troops to Syria
6) US and Russia have divergent views, Russia wants all actions w/o removal
7) America wants not only elimination of IS, but also ouster of Syrian govt
8) roots in the SykesPicot Agreement of 1916,
9) Bashar al Assad, the President or Syria, was like his father before him,
an authoritarian ruler.
10) In nearby countries, people protested their authoritarian rulers in a series of demonstrations th
at came to be known as the "Arab Spring."
11) In Syria, those demonstrations were met with violence from Assad's government.
12) Assad's attempt to squash the demonstrations backfired, and they escalated intorebellion.
13) Rebellion escalated into widespread violence, best described as civil war.
14) There are multiple groups seeking to replace Assad's government:
15) ISIS
16) There are the Kurds, an ethnic group that spans parts of Syria, Iraq, and Turkey, without a
state of their own.
17) There is the Free Syrian Army, an alliance of "moderate" (i.e. not Jihadist/Islamist/pro-
Sharia/murderous) fighters, largely compose of / founded by defectors from Assad's army.
This group has some support from western countries
18) And there is also a long list of loosely affiliated Islamic Jihadist groups
19) The various rebel groups pushed Assad's government back into a relatively small portion of Syria,
it now controls very little beyond the capital city of Damascus
20) But Assad has recently been receiving
significant support from Iran and
Russia
21) Perhaps I should have mentioned earlier
that it is widely believed that Assad has
long supported the Islamic State in subtle
ways, in an effort to position his own
(widely despised) regime as the only
viable opposition to the (even more
widely despised) Islamic State..
22) Amidst all of this chaos and violence,
literally millions of Syrians have fled
to Europe seeking refuge from
war. This has become a crisis in its own
right
23) And many wonder why nearby countries
that, like Syria, are predominantly
Muslim and Arabic, have virtually closed
their doors to Syrian refugees - steering
them instead to countries in which the
Arab language and Muslim faith are
shared only by small minorities.

24) And if that sounds complicated, bear in

mind that I am only an English-speaking
agnostic on the opposite side of the
planet. I've probably omitted at least as
much complexity as I have covered. For
example, Assad's use of chemical weapons
against civilians in rebel-held neighbourhoods
TAPI
1) Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India(TAPI) = proposed natural gas pipeline developed by ADB,
2) has its backing from US who seeks to penetrate central asia through this project.
3) Concerns:
a) Security concerns : risk of destroying the pipelines and hence private players don't want to take risk.
However, the solution can be a helicopter mounted-team which can repair the wrecking
b) Pricing issue : 7 / 23 meeting towards simplifying the pricing issue, royalty sharing
c) Political settlements between India and Pakistan,
d) Taliban holding political share in a part of Afghanistan
e) Balochistan is a concern too.
f) Need to make Taliban a stakeholder for the security conern aversion.
4) However, if a success, this can help India in the following ways :
a) 15-25% of natural gas boost investments in manufacturing sector in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab
b) better economic relations with the till now bad relations with Pakistan.
c) better employment opportunities, better livelihood, better HDI
d) The IPI pipeline plan was delayed due to the dis-interest of Pakistan at that time.

Trans-Pacific partnership
1) Trade Agreement among 12 Pacific-USA, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia,
Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam (Jeevan Vidya = PCM, MBA, SUCZ)
2) It was signed on 4 February 2016 in
3) 40% global trade and 800m population
4) It has not entered into force
5) Goals: eco growth + jobs + innovation, produ. + competitiveness + living std. + poverty elimination + transy +
GG + env and labour protection
6) Covers 40% economy of world, India is not part
7) Easier goods flow, reduce barriers, intellectual property,
8) aims at easing the flow of goods, services and investments and to strengthen the rules on labour standards,
environmental issues, origin criteria and intellectual property
9) Perceived as counterweight to CHINAs eco clout.
10) Impact on World: WB sad: increase members eco by 1.1% GDP
11) Impact on India: India not part
a) Trade diversion GDP loss 0.1% by 2030
b) Mkt share loss +
c) jobs +
d) global value chain isolation +
e) export hurt in textiles, plastics, leather, clothing, cotton and yarn
f) High std in member countries hurt indias interest,
g) Countrys regime on investment, labor std, IPR, govt produrement , SOE will be affected
h) Some TPP stds are higher than WTO-may include evergreening
12) Mitigate the impact
a) Being a part-> additional overheads + cost -> labour costs + IPR + hurt pharma
b) India shud conclude FTA like EU-FTA, BTIA + RCEP
c) diversify export destinations like latin America, Africa
d) make product more cost competitive + export too

WTO
1) TFA IN SERVICES
a) India is pitching aggressively for TFA in services to the WTO.
b) India considers free mvt of professionals (Via Mode 1 and 4) is in the interest of India and world.
c) Mode 1 negotiations pertain to BPO, which are generally known as cross-border services
d) Mode 4 negotiations provides for mvt. of natural persons
e) Liberalised visa regime such as multiple entry visas, visa-free travel for foreign tourists and long term visas
for business community.
f) India is also looking at data privacy hurdles. Wanted to be recognised as data secure country as it is
important for meaningful access in cross border supply (Mode 1)
g) Data secure status has been a highly contentious issue in bilateral investment with EU.
h) Services area as the sector contributes over 50%.
i) Encourages growth in the services sectors.
j) India is working on reform in education and legal services. To boost serv. Export
k) TFA is still not implemented, approval from 2/3 member required. 63/163 only ratified
2) There are several outstanding issues of Doha round
a) Special safeguard mechanisms and permanent solutions for issue of public stockholding for food security.
b) India preventing pro-corporate issues eg: e-comm, labour, env serv and goods, govt procurement, psus.
c) India opposing as: may become new non-tariff barriers, hurt export to rich nations, mkt of developing
nation will further open

YEMEN crisis
1) UN-backed ceasefire btw Saudi-allied forces and Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen.
2) Background
3) Saudi Arabia Houthis =front for Iran , no Shia-dominated govt in its backyard.
4) Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen goal of reinstating President Hadi, weakening Shia Houthi.
5) Impact of conflict on Yemen
a) Rise of extremist
b) chaos amid a disastrous war al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) expand
c) Humanitarian catastrophe
6) 3 attempts to ceasefire collapsed due to difference between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AGENCIES AND FORA - THEIR STRUCTURE , MANDATE.

Russia-china-india trilateral partnership

1) strategic triangle concept conceived in the post-cold war
2) concrete shape in 2001.
3) Reason for creation
a) Multi-polar world:
4) Importance of cooperation
a) Counter-terrorism and cyber security
b) Internet-Governance: internet remains limited to US multinationals,
c) Strategic dialogue: All the nations are also the members of BRICS, SCO, rform global governance
d) Convergence on Central Asia: fighting increasing extremism
e) Nuclear and Energy cooperation:
f) Peaceful resolution of conflicts:
g) Transport and communication: Silk Road through Afghanistan and Central Asia
5) Challenges to RIC
a) Uneven structure: India, close political relations with Russia but little bilateral trade. By contrast, India-
China trade is booming, but the bilateral political poor
b) Different perceptions on relations with the USA: unhappy with its bloc-like approach to the Asia-Pacific.
c) India, on the other hand, is decidedly wary of alienating the U.S. at this juncture.
d) Imbalance: Only Russia and China = permanent members , no supporting Indias
e) Alternative groupings: emergence of BRICS, SCO etc. challenged the relevance of RIC,
6) Way Forward
a) Formalise the grouping: formal organization with permanent secretariat.
b) Summit level meeting: converted into annual summit level meeting.
c) Working groups: formulate dedicated working groups on terrorism, energy security, etc.

African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone treaty

1) Namibia, the worlds 4th largest uranium producer, signed an agreement with India in 2009 for uranium supply.
2) However, as a member of (ANWFZT), it is barred from trading in uranium with non-member of NPT.
3) His country had resources but could not use them as it did not possess any nuclear weapon.
4) So far, India has signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements with 12 countries, including the US, Russia, Korea
and Japan

AIIB
1) Importance to India
a) Connectivity and infra: North east + BBIN and BIMSTEC corridors under its AIIB proposal.
2) Concerns
a) China is dominating, can use veto, wants India to be part of OBOR, India not shown willingness
b) Non transparency + challenges + CPEC controversial + incursions repeated by china.
3) To finance infrastructure, energy, transport projects in Asia-Pacific region.
4) Membership: Western and European, including Australia, Germany and France, US and Japan have stayed.
5) The AIIB is seen as a rival to the WB and ADB.
6) Capital share on quota basis i.e. based on their eco. size.
7) Voting share: based on the size of economy and not on authorised capital share to the Bank. China = largest
shareholder followed by India and Russia.
8) The voting rights of member are not equal. voting shares of China, India, Russia = 26.06%, 7.5% and 5.92%
9) Its HQ are located in Beijing.
1) BRICS Bank, Shanghai 2) AIIB, Beijing

3) 6th summit Fortaleza 2014=>ops.to start from 2016 5) AIIB: Asian infra investment bank
4) 6) 2014: MoU signed. start work from 15.
7) 2014: China+21 member MoU=>2015 starts.

8) 5 members, equal voting power (not in IMF or AIIB.) 9) China + 21 members. S.Korea, Aussie did not join.
10) 100 billion capital=>Shareholding based on GDP.
11) capital: 10 million x 5 members 13) Voting power based on shareholding. China:1st, India: 2nd.
12) (hence equal voting) 14) But, China to dilute shareholding when new members come.

15) 3 function: loan for infra, sus. dev, BoP crisis.
18) For BoP crisis: separate contingency reserve: 100
billion. China gave highest.
16) as name suggest: infra. investment projects
17) Structure: Board of governors >> directors >> President
(HQ: Beijing)
19) 2013: Jinping s idea: make profit from forex reserve+
Silkroad finance+ U$ domination reduce.

APEC - Asia-pacific economic cooperation-1989

1) HQ at Singapore, latest summit : Pasay, Metro Manila (Philippines), Nov 2015
2) Summit will happen in nov 2016 at Peru
3) India willing to join it but US wants reforms+ does not border pacific ocean
4) India is not a member presently
5) Ask for binding concession from india
6) 21 members - U.S., China and Japan
7) Ten-year moratorium on expanding membership,
8) members have freedom to set their own goals and timelines
as well as undertake action on a voluntary and nonbinding
basis in areas identified for cooperation.
9) 40% of worlds population, 54% of the worlds GDP and about
44% of world trade.
10) Equal say and decision-making is reached by consensus.
11) no binding commitments or treaty obligations.
12) India has applied for APEC membership in 1991 on the basis
of its geographic location,
a. at the fifth APEC Leaders meeting in 1997, a decision a ten-year moratorium,
b. APEC is demaninf lower industrial tariff, BIT with US,
c. Only observer member

ASEAN-10-MIS-Brunei-CMaL-PatiVrTha, Formed in 1967

1) ASEAN stands for Association of South East Asian Nations
2) political and economic organisation of 10 SE Asian nations
3) Founding members were MIS-PT i.e. all 10 members were not founding members
4) created with the Bangkok Declaration(1967)
5) address regional instability, spread of communism and promote economic growth
6) Aims:
a) Accelerating eco-socio progress, sociocultural evolution among its members,
b) Protection of regional stability
c) resolve differences peacefully
d) adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter;
e) mututal assistance in matters of common interest + scientific and research facilities.
f) To collaborate more effectively - agriculture and industries,
 g) the expansion of their trade,
h) improvement of their transportation and communications facilities;
i) To promote Southeast Asian studies; and
7) ASEAN Way: mind own business when it comes to internal matters
8) ASEAN + 3 : ties with the China, Japan and South Korea.
9) combined economy would rank the 7th largest in the world
10) HQ : Jakarta, Indonesia
11) India
a) India is only a summit member of the ASEAN along with china, south korea, US, Russia et
b) Has FTA, shares border both land and marine.
c) Latest summit- Kaula lampur,nov 2015
d) PM attended 14th ASEAN-india summit and 11th east-asia summit in vientinne
e) History and evolution
i) 1947, India followed NAM, which became a champion of decolonisation
ii) However, 1970s, India's perceived tilt towards Soviet Union led Southeast Asia to drift away
f) Post-cold-war era
i) Look East Policy (LEP) soon after economic liberalisation in 1991 to increase economic and
ii) commercial ties with East and Southeast Asian nations
iii) building closer ties on the strategic and security aspects in the region.
iv) Phases of LEP-
v) Phase I lasted between 1991 and 2002: renewed political and economic relations
vi) Phase II (2003 to 2012), scope broadened to include China, Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
vii) New phase of LEP = extensive economic and security issues, efforts to protect SLOCs ,counter-terrorism
g) ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA),
i) towards deeper economic integration.
ii) initial framework signed on 8 October 2003 , final agreement on 13 August 2009,
iii) reduced tariff barriers + included specific provisions for services trade and investment facilitation.
iv) full ASEAN Dialogue Partner Status in 1995, followed by membership in ASEAN Regional Forum.
v) joined the East Asian Summit (EAS) in 2005.
vi) strategic partner of India since 2012.
h) Act-East Policy(AEP)
i) Under the AEP, bolster its economic engagements + emerge as potential security balancer as well.
ii) Commerce, Culture and Connectivity are the 3 pillars of Indias robust engagement with ASEAN.
iii) Enhancing the connectivity in all its dimensions physical, digital, economy, institutional and cultural-.
i) Importance of ASEAN for India
i) Economically: population of 1.8 billion and a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion,
ii) Geopolitically: maintaining freedom of navigation in the SCS
iii) Maritime Importance: Sea lanes are life lines of global trade - UNCLOS.
(1) ASEAN = cooperation in areas maritime security, drug trafficking and cybercrime.
iv) Security Aspect: terrorism, human and drug trafficking, cybercrimes and piracy in the Malacca Straits,
v) Connectivity Aspect: Highway (under construction) and rail connectivity
vi) Energy security: ASEAN, Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia can potentially contribute
(1) Oil and natural gas deposits in the South China Sea region.
vii) Trade relation with ASEAN
(1) US$ 65.04 billion in 2015-16 and comprises 10.12% of Indias total trade.
(2) ASEAN-India Free Trade Area + ASEAN -India Trade in Services and Investment Agreements.
(3) Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement will further boost
j) Important Issues Highlighted by PM Modi during the EAS
i) action against states using terrorism + outlining Indias stand on the South China Sea issue.
ii) lanes of communication passing through the sea were main arteries of global merchandise trade.
 iii) India supports freedom of navigation, based on the principles of international law, as reflected in
UNCLOS.

ASEM summit
1) Asia-europe meeting summit took place in Mongolian capital ulan battar
2) informal inter-regional dialogue
3) officially established on 1 March 1996 at the first summit in Bangkok, Thailand
4) strengthen the relationship between the two regions
5) 53 partners of ASEM. India is also part of ASEM
6) Main components: economic + political and social,cultural educations.

Asian Development Bank

1) Estd in 1966, HQ @ Philippines
2) 67 members of which 48 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside
3) Funding:
a) Banks admits UNESCAP and non-regional developed countries.
b) ADB raises funds through bond issues on the worlds capital markets.
c) members contributions, earnings from lending operations, and repayment of loans.
d) Japan holds the largest proportions of shares at 15.67%. US holds 15.56%, China holds 6.47%, India holds
6.36%, and Australia holds 5.81%.
4) Board of governors:
a) Highest policy making body of the bank
b) Composed of one representative from each state.
c) elect the banks President, who is also chairperson of BOD, manages ADB
5) offer both hard loans and soft loans
6) 5 core areas: education, infra, env-climate change, regional cooperation, financial sector dev
7) Help to India
a) Bridge over ganga in bihar

BCIM
1) BCIM stands for Bangladesh-China-India and Myanmar
2) It is a sub-regional organisation, economic cooperation
3) It aims at greater integration of trade and investment between the four countries
4) For significant gains through sub-regional cooperation within the BCIM.
5) will be the 1st expressway btw India and China and pass through Myanmar and Bangladesh
6) evolved form Kunming initiative
7) adv: access to numerous markets in Southeast Asia,

BIMSTEC
1) Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi- Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
2) South-asia and Southeast asia
3) 7 members : Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal (NimBU)
4) Est: 1997 in Bangkok --- Bangla, India, Lanka, Thai = founding members
5) HQ : Dhaka, Bangladesh
6) objective= tech and eco cooperation among south Asian and south east
Asian countries along the coast of the bay of bengal
7) Commerce, tourism, HR dev, agri, fisheries, TnC, textiles, leather etc.
included
8) BIMSTEC uses the alphabetical order for chairmanship
9) Bhutan has never been chairman (Skipped itself)
10) Current chairmanship : Nepal
11) There is delay in signing of the BIMSTEC FTA. India should be more proactive in concluding
12) negotiations on goods in the BIMSTEC FTA and should quickly start negotiations for CECA on goods
13) and service, trade facilitation, investment, competition, public procurement and other areas of trade
14) related cooperation
15) Infrastructural bottlenecks and their linkages with Indias North East. Eg. Kaladan Multi-modal Transit
16) and Transport needs to expedite.
17) Institutional problems in manufacture and service sectors in these countries.
rd
18) 3 summit- Nay Pyi Taw
19) 1.5 b people -22% global population. GDP of $2.7 trillion, avg 6.5% growth.
20) Bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
21) India-Myanmar-Thailand highway is one of the key projects ,
22) With the paralysis of Saarc, BIMSTEC can take forward the concept of regional cooperation.
23) Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
a) Cabinet approval for signing and ratification
b) MHA = central Authority
c) effective cooperation in the control of criminal activitie
d) enhancing capability and effectiveness of the Member States in investigation
e) crimes related to terrorism, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, ML etc

BRICS - Coined by Jiemoneil

1) BRICS. originally known as "BRIC" before the inclusion of South Africa in 2010. ( so formed in 2011)
2) commercial, political and cultural cooperation between the BRICS nations
3) All 5 are G-20 members
4) Since 2009, the BRICS nations have met annually at formal summits.
5) Russia hosted 7th July 2015. India currently holds the chair of the BRICS group. (goa in 16)
6) Represent over 3 billion people, or 42% of the world population
7) 20% of the gross world product
8) 8th summit- annual:
a) India at Goa in oct 2016,15th anniversary of the creation of the original BRIC
b) Russia seemed to warm up to India after the hefty arms deal.
c) The deal delivered S-400 missiles which alter the balance of air power in Indias favour
d) can engage Pakistani planes well before they can enter Indian airspace.
e) Russia also made supporting sounds on Indias cross-Line of Control surgical strikes
9) What was novel was India involving the BIMSTEC nations,
a) BIMSTEC has been envisioned to bridge SAARC and ASEAN
b) explore trade and commercial ties between BRICS and BIMSTEC.
c) Bhutan so far has allowed India primacy in trade and economic relations.
d) In fact, the hydroelectric projects in Bhutan are an example of bilateral cooperation that benefits both
countries.
e) The earlier system of financial grants to sustain the Bhutanese government has been transmuted into
investment-led aid to create projects that give financial returns to Bhutan and assured power to India.
f) Theme: responsive, inclusive and collective solutions
g) Logo: lotus (5 petals for all nation) + Namaste in center
h) I4C apph: Implementn, Integratn, Innovn, and Continuity with Consolidation
10) Visa free entry:
a) Commerce ministry proposed for visa free entry of the businessmen
b) But MHA has opposed the idea
c) Because already there is e-visa facility and rejection rate very low
d) eVisa facility is available for citizens of over 40 eligible countries
e) Visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival
f) allows arrival at only 9 airports
g) Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders.
h) each individual should have a separate passport and no endorsement plz
i) Not available to International Travel Document Holders
BRICS Bank
1) NDB approved first loan for renewable energy project in BRICS
2) multi-lateral development bank operated by the BRICS states
3) agreed to by BRICS leaders at the 5th summit held in Durban, South Africa in 2013
4) HQ in Shanghai, China and its first President is Kundapur Vaman Kamath.
5) participant country will be assigned one vote and no veto to anyone

Role of the bank

1) mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging
economies and developing countries
2) help India and other signatory countries to raise and avail resources
3) reflect the close relations among BRICS countries + eco. Cooperation

Commonwealth of nation
1) Formerly called the British Commonwealth, HQ : London, ( constituted by London declaration)
2) An intergovernmental organisation of 53 members that were part of former British Empire
3) Mozambique and Rwanda are also its members, who were
4) Set up Post II world war (in 1949), to maintain close ties with its erstwhile colonies
5) It is not a trade block. It aims to promote democracy, human rights, world peace etc.
6) not consider each other foreign, and hence send High Commissioners r/t Ambassadors
7) Several countries (such as Britain, Caribbean islands) grant the right to vote to any commonwealth country
citizen residing in their territory to vote in their elections
8) In non-commonwealth countries, commonwealth countries can seek assistance at the British embassy, in case
their own country does not have consular services in that country
9) On occasion, the commonwealth has suspended members for bening non-democratic eg Nigeria from 1995-
1999). -Demanding that Sri Lanka be dropped, given the war crimes.

Contringency reserve arrangement-BRICS

1) deal with economic crisis, provide short-term liquidity
2) further strengthen financial stability.
3) complement existing international arrangements (from IMF)

East Asia summit- started in 2005

1) Forum of 18 countries of east asia + SE asia + South asia
2) Objectives : regional peace, security and prosperity + issues of common interest
3) Members: ASEAN + Aus, Ch, Ind, Ja, Ne, Korea, Russ and America (RAJNIKA-C)
4) EAS is an initiative of ASEAN and is based on the premise of the centrality of ASEAN
5) promoted in 1991 by then Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir bin Mohamad
6) India has been a part of this process since its inception in 2005 in Kuala Lumpur
7) brings together such a large collective weight of global population, youth, economy and military strength
8) 6 priority areas: Env and Energy, Education, Finance, Global Health Issues and Pandemic Diseases, Natural
Disaster Management, and ASEAN Connectivity.
9) Idea of revival of Nalanda
10) 10th EAS held on 22 November 2015,

Eastern Neighbours
1) China
a) borders Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.
b) While in Nepal India has so far been able to balance Chinese economic ingress,
c) In Myanmar China dominates with big-ticket infrastructure projects
d) Bhutan so far has allowed India primacy in trade and economic relations.
e) As regards Bangladesh, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Goa after a visit there.
 f) A proposal for a corridor linking Bangladesh and China via India and Myanmar (BCIM)
g) outgrowth of Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative.
h) India has, however, been sceptical
2) Bangladesh
a) wooed by Russia earlier with a loan ofer of $11.4 billion to setup 2 nuclear power plants.
b) Japan put $6.7 billion on the table for an LNG terminal and coal-fired power plants
c) china $40 billion infrastructure finance.
3) Myanmar would like to balance Chinas predominance by reaching out to the other nations.
4) Sri Lanka is anyway doing deft balancing between China and its near neighbour India
5) Dissonance in the Declaration
6) Goa Declaration: importance of maintaining multilateral trading systems.
7) repeats the mantra that world needs to transition to a just, democratic and multi-polar international order
8) call for a fair and equitable international order.
9) Rejecting continued attempts to misrepresent the results of World War II.
10) China intruding into the South and East China seas and
11) Russia trying to recover the sway it had in the Soviet era in East Europe and Central Asia that are quarrelling
with the U.S., Japan and ASEAN in the east and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in the west, respectively.
12) The part of post-World War II order that India does not like are the Bretton Woods institutions,
13) Why then did India let this notion embed itself in the Goa Declaration?
14) The line would be read carefully in Tokyo and Washington.
15) Similar dissimulation surfaces over the Syrian imbroglio.
16) Russia being a prime participant in the Syrian fighting, BRICS needed to extract a more specific undertaking
about a ceasefire to enable food and medical help
17) But what emerges is condemnation of military interventions in other countries in breach of their sovereignty.
Of course Russia would point out that the U.S. is supportive of Saudi Arabian intervention in Yemen
18) Recently the mistaken bombing of a funeral hall resulted in loss of 140 innocent lives. Nevertheless it raises the
question whether India is reverting to anti-West language that used to be normal at NAM summits. Is there
danger of BRICS with closer Sino-Russian convergence and South Africa-Brazil passivity being led by the nose by
the former to reflect their world view?
19) Need for a steady strategy
20) Also BIMSTEC already has strong Sino-Indian competition for influence. If anything,
21) India should welcome diversification of that
22) by encouraging other players like Japan and
23) the U.S. as it cannot by itself balance China.
24) There is much emphasis in the Goa Declaration on multipolarity.

EEU-Eurasian Eco Union

1) It is an economic union of states located in Northern Eurasia
2) Established in 2015
3) HQ : Moscow
4) 5 members : Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia
5) EEU introduces the free mvt of goods, capital, services and people, common transport,
6) In future, it can evolve with provisions for a single currency and greater integration

Energy Architecture Performance Index (EAPI) WEF

1) By WEF
2) Rank based on national ability to provide energy- affordability, environmental, secure access
3) India (90th), and China (94).
 European Union
1) Formed in 1957
2) 28 countries
3) Custom union

G-20- GURU JI SITA AB SSC ME kaam Karti hai

1) Germany, US, rus, uk, japan, india, Saudi,turk, indo, aus, arg, braz, sK, SA,can, Mex, EU
2) forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies.
3) Founded in 1999 - To review policy decisions to enhance international financial stability
4) First Head of State Summit was held in 2008 (Due to Economic Crisis)
5) 20 Members ( EU + 19 Countries) :
6) 85% of the gross world product (GWP), 80% of world trade, and 2/3 of the world population
7) G20 replaced G8 as the main economic council of wealthy nations
8) Latest summit: Antalya, Turkey, Nov 2015, In 2016, will be held in Hangzhou, China
9) 2016 summit: Toward an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy
a) advance anti-corruption campaign
b) Sustainable Development
c) facilitate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
d) Hangzhou Consensus: calls on the G20 to deliver more inclusive economic growth through co-ordinated
macroeconomic policy, open trade and innovation
e) International tax avoidance
i) strengthening enforcement against international tax avoidance, BEPS
f) Climate change; avoided specifying a date for ending fossil fuel subsidies
g) Syrian crisis, refugees, terrorism and migration, remain unresolved.

G-4
1) India, brazil , Germany nad japan
2) Support each other in the bid to UNSC - 2004
3) France supports G4 and an African representative as permanent member with no objection
4) UK supports G4 as new members but without veto

G-7
1) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, US
2) EU is also represented within the G7
3) 64% of global wealth- latest summit Kashiko Island (Japan), May 2016

GCC:
1) regional intergovernmental political and economic union
2) Arab states of the Persian Gulf, except for Iraq.
3) Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab
Emirates
4) All monarchies-3 constl (Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain), 2 absolute (Saudi,
oman)
5) Established in Abu Dhabi on 25 May 1981,
6) Obje: unified military + JV + scientific research + common currecy
7) ASHAGABAT agreement
a) India to accede to the Ashgabat Agreement, an international
transport and transit corridor facilitating goods btw Central Asia
and the Persian Gulf.
b) Enable India to trade with the Eurasian region.
c) synchronize with our efforts (INSTC) for enhanced connectivity.
 d) Agreement btw 5 countries - new intl transport and transit corridor
e) (Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Iran Oman Qatar) in Ashgabat.
f) Qatar had withdrawn from the agreement in 2013.
g) forms basis for devg shortest trade route btw CA and Iranian and Omani ports.
h) Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan =founding members, Kazakhstan joined later
i) Ashgabat known as Poltoratsk between 1919 and 1927, is capital ,largest city of Turkmenistan, situated
between the Karakum Desert

IAEA:
1) scientific and technical cooperation for peaceful use of nuclear energy, not for military
2) autonomous organization on 29 July 1957 independently of UN thru intl treaty
3) now reports to both UNGA and UNSC
4) HQ= Vienna, two "Regional Safeguards Offices"-Tokyo and Toronto
5) Noble prize winner.
6) Mission: peaceful use + safeguards (that nuclear energy not used for military), nuclear safety
7) India ratified the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC)
a) Addresses the concerns of foreign nuclear equipment suppliers.
b) Increase growth of nuclear energy
c) standard for compensation of victims
d) get access to international funding.
e) Convention allow increasing the compensation amount
f) establish a uniform global legal regime for compensation
g) establishment of an international fund
h) ets parameters on a nuclear operator's financial liability,
i) all states are free to participate
j) Criticism: violate the domestic Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA)-10
i) liability for a nuclear accident can be channeled from the operator to suppliers
ii) permits victims of a nuclear incident to sue the operator or the supplier

IBSA
1) http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-bricks-to-rebuild-ibsa/article7147509.ece

IMF
1) established along with IBRD at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA in July 1944.
2) 187 members, India is founding member,
3) objectives of IMF is macro-economic growth,
a) alleviation of poverty and economic stability,
b) policy advice & financing for developing countries,
c) forum for cooperation in monetary system,
d) promotion of exchange rate stability and
e) international payment system.
4) India has not taken any financial assistance from the IMF since 1993.
5) Repayments of all the loans taken from IMF completed on 31 May, 2000.
6) Reforms:
a) Voting Rights: developing and emerging nations will gain, more than 6% rights will shift, india voting
increase to 2.6 frm 2.3. china to 6%.Russia, Brazil too would gain, bring India and Brazil into the list of the
top 10 members of IMF
b) Financial strength: doubling its permanent capital resources
c) IMFs Executive Board:
i) entirely of elected Exe. Directors, rather appointed Executive Directors
d) entirely of elected Executive
 e) Directors, ending the category of appointed Executive Directors
f) reinforce the credibility, effectiveness, and legitimacy of the IMF
g) Quota Reforms:
i) 6% point of quota transferred from developed to developing
ii) Emerging and developing economies gained more influence
iii) Indias voting rights increase to 2.6 % from 2.3%, Chinas 6% from 3.8%
iv) BRIC= among 10 largest members of IMF
v) Combined capital of IMF increased to $659b (SDR 477 billion) from $329b
vi) U.S voting share will marginally drop, from 16.7% to 16.5%.-still VeTO
vii) f IMFs Board will consist entirely of elected Executive Directors,
7) SDR value:
a) four major currencies (of the U.S. dollar, euro, Japanese yen, and pound sterling),
b) chinese Ranminbi to be included from oct1,2016

IMF-International Monetary and Finance Committee

1) 24 members,
2) meets twice a year
3) matters of common concern affecting the global economy
4) operates by consensus,

India-Africa forum
1) Started in 2008.
2) Intergovernmental attempt to give direction + thrust to bilateral synergy.
3) Summits: 2008 (New Delhi); 2011 (Addis Adaba) ; 2015 (New Delhi)
a) Summit 2015
b) Delhi Declaration
c) Infrastructure building - "Cairo to cape town, Marrakesh to Mombassa
d) Credit at concessional rates of $10 billion over 5 year since 2008)
e) Grant assistance of $600 million(india-Africa dev fund , India-Africa Health fund)

Indian Ocean RIM association (IOR)/ IOR Association for Regional Cooperation
1) international organisation consisting of coastal states bordering
the Indian Ocean
2) tripartite in nature, bringing together representatives of
Government, Business and Academia, for promoting co-operation
and closer interaction among them
3) It is based on the principles of Open Regionalism for strengthening
Economic Cooperation particularly on Trade Facilitation and
Investment, Promotion as well as Social Development of the
region.
4) The Coordinating Secretariat of IORA is located at Ebene,
Mauritius.
5) The organisation was first established as Indian Ocean Rim
Initiative in Mauritius on March 1995 and formally launched in
1997 by the conclusion of a multilateral treaty known as the Charter of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for
Regional Co-operation.
6) The Association comprises 20 member states and 7 dialogue partners, the Indian Ocean Tourism Organisation
and the Indian Ocean Research Group has observer status.
Objectives of IORA:
7) promote sustainable growth and balanced development of the region and member states.
8) To focus on those areas of economic cooperation which provide maximum opportunities for development,
shared interest and mutual benefits.
9) To promote liberalisation, remove impediments and lower barriers towards a freer and enhanced flow of
goods, services, investment, and technology within the Indian Ocean rim.

International Court of Justice

Began functioning in 2002 under the Rome Statute, the ICC has heard cases of war crimes, mostly in Africa.
It was established to prosecute those responsible for genocide, for crimes against humanity and for war
crimes.
Although it has global jurisdiction, the ICC is limited to hearing cases referred to it by the UN Security
Council (UNSC) or citizens from any of the 123 countries that have signed and ratified the Rome Statute.
There are several prominent countries that have not ratified the statute. These include the United States,
China, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Israel and Russia.
Yet, despite these limitations, the ICC is an important institution that brings into focus crimes that would
otherwise remain unheard. And at least in some instances, it has convicted the main perpetrators of these
crimes.

International Maritime Org.

1) Radhika Menon, first woman captain of the Indian Merchant Navy, won IMO bravery award
2) It is UN special agency
3) Aim: safety + security of shipping + marine pollution prevention
4) 171 members + 3 associates
5) Mandate: regulation of shipping, legal matters, technical cooperation, env protection etc.
6) Financially adm. By council of members elected from UNGA
7) Structure: council, safety comm, env protection commi., legal etc.
8) IMO council:
a) 40 members from UNGA, 10 each divided into every domains.
b) India = again earliest member

International Seabed Authority

1) intergovernmental body based in Kingston, Jamaica
2) organize, regulate and control all mineral-related activities in the international seabed
3) established by the 1982 United Nations Law of the Sea Convention in 1994
4) ISA governs non-living resources of seabed lying in international waters
a) India want ISA approval for polymetallic suphide extraction
b) enhance Indias presence in the Indian Ocean
c) implemented by the Ministry of Earth Science
d) PMS) containing iron, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum in variable constitutions

International ZERO conference

1) Held at UNESCO headquarters
2) showcased Indian contribution to maths and science
3) MHRD gifted a bronze bust of Aryabhata to the UNESCO headquarters
4) Earlier india sponsored dia sponsored International Yoga Day and a Sanskrit conference at the UNESCO.
 IPR

1)
2) India was ranked 37 out of 38 countries, with only Venezuela scoring lower, in the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce-International Intellectual Property Index.
3) The report, released on Wednesday, comes at a time when the government is close to finalising a National
Intellectual Property policy to improve the IP regime, increase IP awareness and strengthen enforcement of
rules.
4) The U.S. was ranked first, followed by the UK, Germany, France and Sweden. Indias peers in the BRICS
grouping were all ranked ahead with Russia ranked 20th, China (22nd), South Africa (26th) and Brazil
(29th). The 38 economies benchmarked in the 2016 Index accounts for nearly 85 per cent of the global
GDP.
5) The Index -- produced by the Chambers Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) -- is based on 30
criteria critical to innovation including patent, copyright and trademark protections, enforcement, and
engagement in international treaties, the Chamber said. India remains at the bottom of the Index for the
fourth year in a row, the GIPC report said.
6) It said patent protection in India remains outside of international best practices, adding that Indian law
does not provide adequate enforcement mechanisms to effectively combat online piracy. Indias score
would have increased if the government had not suspended implementation of Final Guidelines for
Computer Related Inventions (CRI), according to the report. The GIPC report found that among Indias key
areas of weakness was the use of compulsory licensing (CL) for commercial and non-emergency situations,
and the expanded use of CL being considered by the Indian government. CL relates to the government
allowing entities to manufacture, use, sell or import a patented invention without the permission of the
patent-owner. Another area of weakness was poor application and enforcement of civil remedies and
criminal penalties.
7) While we have been encouraged by the Modi administrations rhetoric to improve Indias IP environment,
we have yet to see it translate into concrete action, said David Hirschmann, president and CEO of GIPC.
8) The Index was created so that countries such as India can hear directly from the business community on
the IP-related issues important to them when considering investing in new markets, said Mark Elliot,
executive vice president of GIPC.
9) The report said Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and Russia introduced or maintained policies that tie
market access to sharing of IP and technology. Such forced-localization policies tend to undermine the
overall innovation ecosystem and deter investment from foreign IP-intensive entities, it said
10)

ITLOS and UNCLOS

1) International tribunal for the law of the seas.
2) Territorial: security forces
3) Contiguous: customs, immigration and sanitary
4) EEZ : pollution, marine natural resources,
5) High seas: beyond EEZ-no jurisdiction

MTCR: Missile Technology Control Regime

1) Established in 1987, the voluntary MTCR
2) aims to limit the spread of ballistic missiles + UAVs that could be used for chemical, biological, and nuclear
attacks.
3) 34-member supporting Indias bid, india is 35th member
4) It is one of the 4 nuclear regime india is going to be part of
5) Place restriction on proliferation of rockets and UAVs - payload 500 kgs and range > 300 km
6) India applied in June 2015, Italy blocked it over marine issue, now withdrew objection
7) got a boost after it agreed to join the Hague Code of Conduct
8) China, Israel and Pakistan are not members of MTCR
9) Advantage:
a) Boost to India's space and missile technology,, MKI
b) Russian cryogenic engine technology demand of india was stymied by the MTCR
c) enable India to buy high-end missile technology
d) ease the way for export of supersonic BrahMos cruise missile,
e) able to import Predator drones from the US

10)

NATO
1) made up of 28 member countries in North America and Europe.
2) aims to safeguard through political and military means. HQ in Brussels, Belgium.
3) The genesis of NATO can be traced backed to cold war era.
4) In 1949, US + other form (NATO). The Soviet Union founded the Warsaw Pact, in 1955.
5) Collective defence principle
6) Turkey is a member coutry of NATO. it was supported by its allies against its war on terror.
7) The NATO countries are: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherland, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States
 NSG
1) 4 UN member states have never joined the NPT: India, Israel, Pakistan and South Sudan.
2) Aim: reducing nuclear proliferation by controlling export , re-transfer of materials
3) NSG, a 48 member group was set up as a response to test of India at Pokhran in 1974 (smilling Buddha).
4) Improving safeguards and protection on existing materials.
5) Switzerland, US etc are supporting India.
6) Member Can act as an instrument of harmonization and coordination.
7) India applied but china has opposed as india is non-signatory of npt
8) NSG members could object to an India-specific ruling, as other non-NPT countries may also benefit
9) membership require India to curtail its nuclear weapons prog.
10) U.S.: nuclear arsenals of India and Pakistan are taking them in the wrong direction,
11) India argument rely on France membership earlier (being non npt, nsg member then)
12) declaring a voluntary moratorium on further underground nuclear tests
13) India is actively eyeing membership of Wassenaar Arrangement, Australia group (chemical) also
14) Indias nuclear doctrine is non-proliferation-oriented and is both sensible and responsible.
15) accepted IAEA safeguards and Additional Protoco
16) Positives:
a. access to latest technology, India can commercialize production of nuclear power equipment
b. strengthen the global non-proliferation regime.
c. Gives credibility to Indias Civil Nuclear programme.
d. expand its nuclear power generation and also enter the export market
e. India's rising energy demands
f. environmental friendly options
g. It will facilitate transfer of nuclear technology and import of nuclear fuel
h. ndia sell its vast thorium reserves internationally
i. Will be able to trade in nuclear material at an affordable price.
j. building image of a non-proliferation regime despite non signatory of NPT,
k. help in keeping Pakistan out from the group
l. Gets timely information on nuclear matters.
m. Contributes by way of information.
n. Will help in meeting the INDC under paris climate accord.
17) Loss:
a. India may be asked to sign the NPT and CTBT sooner
b. Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty will also have to be ratified soon.
18) four major nuclear powers USA, Russia, UK and France support indias entry but not yet materialised
19) It being a non-signatory of NTP, a pre-condition for entry.
20) China is opposed to Indias entry in the NSG without more discussions on the same.
21) similar demands will be made by Israel and Pakistan.
22) distrustful of India owing to its problem with Pakistan ,India will not tone down its military nuclear program.
23) USA though supports India, it is not trying hard to influence others as India expects

OPEC-1960:
1) an oil cartel that jointly changes prices and supply of oil
2) A cartel = collection of businesses or countries acting together as a single producer and agree to influence
prices for certain goods and services
3) OPEC was formed when the international oil market was largely dominated by a group of MNCs known as the
'seven sisters'.
4) collective act of sovereignty by oil exporting nations
5) mandate = "coordinate and unify the petroleum policies" of its members and to "ensure the stabilization of oil markets
6) OPEC comprised 12 members: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi ,
the UAE, and Venezuela (NSI KALUA E IQ V)
7) Recent changes in geo-political dynamics: sanction upliftment of Iran, global shift to renewable energy eg
International solar alliance.
8) Factors responsible for diminishing OECD clout and cohesion in decision making:
a) Increasing Iran salience in Central Asia: ramped up its oil production
b) Inter-nation conflicts: Irans perceived negatively with Saudi Arabias dominance
c) Emphasis to renewable energy production: US shale gas revolution, INDC.
d) strengthening of individual regional blocs like SAARC, ASEAN US-TPP etc
e) measures lie strategic oil reserves, cooperation in mineral extraction, LNG pipelines etc

Permanent court of arbitration

1) HQ at hague, Netherland
2) The PCA is not a court,
3) organiser of arbitral tribunals to resolve conflicts between member states
4) States, organizations and even pvt players
5) legal issues involving territorial and maritime boundaries, sovereignty, human rights, etc

SCO (shanghai Cooperation organization)

1) Aim: jointly preserving and safeguarding regional peace, security and stability;
2) India, iran and pak admitted as observer in Astana-2005.
3) 2016 meeting will held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
4) Pol, Eco and Mil. grouping. Official lang= chinese and russian
5) China, Russia, Tajikistan, kyrgstan and kazaksthan were
founding members and later uzbekistan came, name changed
to SCO.
6) Newly to be added countries include India and Pakistan.
7) UNTAPPED POTENTIAL: central asia = resource rich but eco relations remain untapped as:
a) China's brain child for a Shangai development bank never spurred up.
b) trade lines and pipeline remain affected due to China's internal problems-western part.
c) the central asian countries blessed with resources lack the potential to use them.
d) SCO provides mechanism like RATS (Regional anti terrorist structure is a permanent organ of sco and deals
with terrorism , separatism and extremism) to tackle terrorism, extremism, separatism, which can be of
immense help for India.
e) China and Russia seen as ANTI-WEST so India can act as a bridge btw West and East.
f) Counter force against US dominated trade/military blocs.
8) However, China- Central asia pipeline marks an important bilateral economic agenda.
9) countries have failed to pursue their long term interests . The reasons likely are:
a) The flip flop between Russia and China relations.
b) failed to establish its relations with war torn neighboring countries like Afghanistan.
c) But One belt,one road or China -Pakistan Economic corridor provides hope.
10) INDIAN INCLUSION
a) CPEC passing through POK, is a contention region between India and Pakistan.
b) India remains reluctant to openly support the Chinese dream project.
c) Economic trade may be impacted due to terrorist base in Pakistan
d) can get a new boost to stalled projects like TAPI, North south corridor.
e) cooperation can look upto other neighbouring countries including Iran,
f) Sri Lanka, Nepal remain participants to sco, thus including them can bring south asia.
g) India can rethink on obor as it would provide a chance to connect upto europe.
h) cooperation with member in areas of defence, security and counter-terrorism.
i) SCO can create a stronger asian cooperation and truly help in making of an Asian century
 UN chief appoints indian academician radha Krishna to university council
1) to formulate the principles and policies of the University, govern its operations, and consider and approve its
biennial budget and work programme.
2) members of the Council serve in their individual capacity and not as representatives of their countrys
government.
3) selected with the aim of achieving a geographic and gender balance,
4) selected with due regard for major academic, scientific, educational and cultural trends, as well as each
members fields of expertise

UNCTAD
1) 194 members
2) To boost trade and investment in developing coountries
3) 14th mitting at Nairobi

UNHCR
1) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, also known as UN refugee agency is a United Nations
programme meant to support and protect the refugees around the world.
2) The UNHCR has played an significant role in refugee crisis occured around the world
3) UNHCR has contributed to major international relief operations to help victims of natural disasters, including
the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, Chinas 2008 earthquake and the 2013
Philippines typhoon.
4) In most of the refugee crisis situations , the UNHCR has helped the victims either to return to their countries or
providing them temporary settlement in other nations
5) They have drawn up an Agenda for Protection, which continues to serve as a guide to governments and
humanitarian organizations in their efforts to strengthen worldwide refugee protection.
6) UNHCR has played a major role in UN's " cluster approach " involving a wide range of agencies that help
millions of internally displaced people who, unlike refugees, have never had a single agency wholly dedicated
to their well-being.
7) After the resettlement of refugees , the UNHCR has helped to create basic infrastructure such as schools ,
hospitals , shelter homes for the refugees across the world
8) They has also helped in the local integration of the resettled refugees who are not able to return to their home
land .
9) However there are some drawbacks in the working of UNHCR
a) They have failed to ensure protection of human rights in the refugee camp . Many of the refugees are
facing discrimination and human rights violation in camps around the world
2) They have failed in providing financial support for rehabilitation of refugees in the recent Syrian refugee
crisis. This is due to lack of budget
3) There have been severe cuts to food rations for Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan as well as for
Somali and Sudanese refugees in Kenya.
4) In many cases they have failed to protect refugees from malnutrition and mental health issues because
of the conflict
10) Thus it is important to note the significant role played by the UNHCR in managing the refugee crisis around the
world . So the governments of different nations around the world should help in providing funds and support to
the UNHCR

UNHRC
1) meets at the UN Office at Geneva
2) made of 47 members-elected by UNGA
3) term=3 years, no more than 2 consecutive terms
4) works closely with office of high commissioners for human rights
5) General Assembly can suspend the rights and privileges of any Council member
6) Russia is recently ousted from the UNHRC in historic vote.

UNSC
1) Sweden, Bolivia, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan to serve on the UNSC for a period of two years,
2) newly-elected countries will replace Spain, Malaysia, New Zealand, Angola and Venezuela.
3) One of 6 principle organ of the UN. It is charged with maintenance of peace and security
4) Power include Peacekeeping operations, est. of international sanctions, authorization of military actions, only
authority to issue binding reolutios.
5) Security Council consists of fifteen members. Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, and the United
Statesserve as the bodys five permanent members. These permanent members can veto any substantive
Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for
Secretary-General.
6) 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms.
7) UNSC reforms:
8) General Assembly had adopted negotiating text Decision 69/560 on Security Council (UNSC) reform
9) Why
a) democracy deficit in the UN prevents effective multilateralism
b) geopolitical rivalry among the permanent members
c) Russia, China, and the US are opposed to Indias position
d) GA can induct new members with 2/3rd vote
e) Largest contributor of the UN peacekeeping forces
f) Historical principled stand on global issues and a track record of promoting peace
10) benefits to india
a) It will be a formal recognition to India as a emerging power.
b) It will tremendously improve India's status in the international politics.
c) help in balance of power and will considerably erode the status India's political rivals.
d) can fulfill the aspirations of poor and developing nations.
e) strategic advantage to India due to the possession of veto power.
f) India can access the membership of other world organisations
11) Hidden vetoes must go, India tells U.N.
a) India sought changes in the U.N. procedures to designate a group or an individual terrorist.
b) Demands for more transparency comes days after China blocked Indias bid to designate Jaish-e-
Mohammad chief Masood Azhar a terrorist.
c) Existing rules allow members to vote in sanction committee in clandestine manner.
d) There are 15 members in sanction committee and every decision is taken in unanimous manner.
e) Security Council has Al-Qaeda, Taliban and Islamic State Sanctions Committees that can mandate
international sanctions, which will require countries to freeze the targeted groups or individuals assets

World economic forum (WEF)

1) Swiss Non-Profit foundation, based in Geneva
2) international institution for public-private cooperation.
3) "committed to improving state of world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society
4) Davos Panel: The annual meet (Jan) at Davos, Switzerland.
a) 2016- "Mastering the Fourth Industrial Revolution"
b) World networking index-india
5) established in 1971 as not-forprofit foundation and is HQ in Geneva, Switzerland.
6) It is independent, impartial and not tied to any special interests.
7) engages political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas
8) It was established in 1971 as 'European Management Forum' and changed to WEF in 1987 and sought to
broaden its vision to a platform for resolving international conflicts.
9) It also works as a think tank giving out various reports; Global Competitiveness Report, Global IT Report,
Gender Gap Report, Risks, Travel & Tourism, Enabling Trade.

World Happiness report

1) Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN),- UN
2) Param: GDP per capita , Life expectancy, Social support, Freedom to make life choices.
3) India was ranked 118 out of 156 in the list.
4) Denmark took the top spot as the happiest country in the world

WTO
1) Indian local content requirement case
i) India and Us dispute over indian policy of local content requirement in solar purchase.
ii) WTOs dispute settlement panel ruled against india for discriminating against uss solar manufacturer.
iii) Shows uSs hypocricy over the issue of local content requirement where it too allows the same.
iv) General agreement on tariff and trade: Allows to overcome the rules provided there is huge gap
between demand and supply.
v) By focusing its arguments (or future measures) on the goal of developing a manufacturing capacity
that serves a domestic demand not adequately served by international markets, India might have
greater success, The government has an ambitious plan of achieving 100 gigawatt of solar capacity
by 2022.
vi) overnment-funded solar electricity in India was approximately 6.40 MW per year as of
2005. India is ranked number one in terms of solar electricity production per watt
installed
vii) 25.10 MW was added in 2010 and 468.30 MW in 2011
viii) As of 31 December 2015, the installed grid connected solar power capacity is 4,879.00
MW
ix) India expects to install an additional 10,000 MW by 2017
x) A total of 100,000 MW by 2022

Indo Pacific Geopolitics Indias role

India recently made progress in leaps and strides in Indo-pacific region by establishing greater levels of partnerships
with Australia and Japan.

With Japan

1. The Tokyo Declaration mentions potential for nurturing a defence relationship.

2. Strategic and Global Partnership has been elevated to Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
(Simply means greater level of engagement with Japan)

4 Ds to guard against in Indo-US relations

1. Drift i.e. Reduction in closeness due to preoccupation with domestic or other international issues, lack of
high-profile initiatives
2. Differences Iran issue, US becoming closer with China with the idea of G-2
3. Disillusionment It is due to over-expectations
4. Dilution of importance Both countries may find each other less beneficial. US investment in India is
viewed in 3 ways
a. Investment into a vibrant democracy
b. Investment into an emerging economy
c. Investment to balance the power of China
Steps to improve relations

1. Strengthen economy to become a destination for investment.

2. Creating awareness in the international market about the services provided by India and also explaining the
constraints.

International strategic relations are never altruistic. It is said in international relations, there can be enemies, but
there are never friends. States can only develop greater or lesser closeness of views and cooperation.

Areas of concern in Indo- US relations

1. Security and stability in West-Asia, especially in Iran and Iraq

2. Stability in Afghanistan
3. Power balance in East Asia, particularly South China Sea
4. Power balance in Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka and 13th Amendment

Sri Lankan Government has declared its intentions to reduce freedom of minorities by

1. Amending constitution to legislate freely on provincial matters

2. Removing provincial powers of land and police entirely

This is essentially dilution of the 13th Amendment signed in 1987 after Indo-Lanka Accord, which had allowed some
level of Tamil autonomy under which Tamils could have decision making powers on Tamil issues.

India should oppose this dilution because

1. Ethnically related Sri Lankan Tamils are losing essential protection rights as a powerless minority.
2. Dilution amounts to breach of Indo-Lankan Accord, an international obligation of Sri Lanka.
3. Minority discontent will destabilize and increase tensions in the neighbouring country.

In the international sphere, the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) has passed a resolution calling for an
international inquiry into the war crimes in Sri Lanka. This has put immense pressure on the Sri Lankan Government
and it is also working overtime to highlight its development and economic growth since the end of the war.

The plight of the Northern Province residents includes

1. Lack of jobs with the rising costs of living and household

2. Loss of land to high security zones of the army
3. Low yield for fishermen

India and Sri Lanka also worked on an agreement to empty their jails of each others fishermen which are caught in
the Palk Bay region.

Srilanka Internal Situation

The framework for devolution of powers to provinces has existed since 1987 under the 13th Amendment to the Sri
Lankan Constitution. However, the centre refuses to share the police powers and powers over land. Further, there
remains a strong military presence in the Northern Province.
Tamil leaders believe that Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) which is overwhelmingly represented by the ruling
coalition will only dilute the 13th Amendment. Thus main opposition parties including Tamil National Alliance (TNA)
have boycotted it. TNA has demanded the precondition for joining PSC that starting point of the negotiations will
be the 13th Amendment and that recommendations of the past committees will be taken into consideration.

The efforts of the Sri Lankan government only seem to create illusions for the international community rather than
trying to bring any substantial change.

In 2014, UNHRC resolution was passed for foreign probe into the HR violations in Sri Lanka. In the resolution, India
had abstained. This is considered a great diplomatic move as India saved face in international community for not
condoning an alleged genocide while maintaining cordial relations with its neighbour. Previously, India had voted in
favour of the resolution for international probe which had been criticized by Sri Lanka.

Analysis

1. To retain the police powers, the Central government has given the argument that there are chances of
resurgence of LTTE and rise of Islamic terrorism. There have been cases of 3 LTTE cadres engaging with
security forces.
2. Radicalization of Muslims in Lanka has become a real issue esp. after the recent Buddhist-Muslim riots in
Colombo.

The expectation of devolution of police powers is unrealistic. Sri Lanka will maintain status quo at least till 2016
when the Presidential elections will take place.

Taliban in Afghanistan
India has had a bad experience with Taliban in 1999 with the Qandhar hijack. India has no reason to believe that
Taliban has good intentions.

However, some facts

1. Taliban is an undefeated force, esp. in southern and eastern Afghanistan.

2. Some affiliations like Haqqani group are Indian enemies who are supported by ISI. These should not be
reconciled with. They are being represented at Doha, which is unacceptable.
3. Taliban has pushed for local ceasefires and stopped attacks on girls schools and teachers. They desire a
political role in Afghanistan (They had government before 2001 which created the entire mess in the first
place).

Afghanistan Internal situation

In Sept 2014, Ashraff Ghani (a Pashtun) has been elected as the new President of Afghanistan along with Abdullah
Abdullah (a Tajik) who is designated as CEO, a post that will be converted into PM in 2 years. Ghani is a former
World Bank employee and was a part of the Karzai government as the finance minister. Immediately after coming
to power, he signed the Bilateral Security Agreement and Status of Forces Agreement with the US which was earlier
avoided by the outgoing Karzai government. Under this agreement, US forces will be allowed to stay till 2024 and
beyond. They will provide training and financial assistance to Afghan security forces and conduct air strikes and
drone operations from Afghan soil. However, the greatest factor that influences the political stability in the country
is the attitude of Pakistan against the Taliban.
It is worth noting that the political deadlock between Abdullah and Ghani was removed through a US brokered deal
which indicates the support and interference of the US government in the new Afghan leadership. Of course, the
Taliban is against the new government and considers the government as one imposed by the West.

Iran Political Situation

Hassan Rouhani has come to power as the new President. He declares that no government of Iran has come across
such dire problems. He is expected to improve the international image of Iran by his work in areas such as

1. Revival of economy, removal of sanctions and a flexible foreign policy.

2. Womens rights
3. Reduction in government interference in everyday life.
4. Direct negotiations with US rather than approaching East countries such as China or Russia.

Sanctions on Iran are greatly hurting its economy and even US residents are losing out through banning of products
such as handmade Iranian carpets.

Rouhani has called on the UN to support a new project World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE). In a bold
move, the authority over the nuclear issue has been shifted from National Security Council to the Foreign Ministry.

Despite pressure from Israel and GCC, US has reciprocated to good will of Iran after 35 years due to 3 main reasons

1. War-weariness after unconvincing wins in Iraq and Afghanistan.

2. Attack would be the tipping point that would lead to major destabilization of West Asia.
3. US can concentrate on a greater opponent in China.

However, ignoring Israel and GCC is not easy. Many Republicans are friends with Israel and have greatly influenced
lobbying in the US. However, Saudi Arabia would support it as it would not want to be left isolated. All this will be
very much in favour of India which desires a stable and vibrant West Asia.

Palestine vs. Israel

Hamas and Fatah have decided to unite in order to form a government. Hamas is the elected ruling party of the
Palestinian people. Hamas has governed Gaza Strip while Fatah has ruled over West Bank since 2006 and each has
its own security forces. However, the situation remains volatile as both face internal problems.

Mahmoud Abbas, leader of Fatah, is not so popular. Hamas also faces financial problems since Egypt junta has
attacked Muslim Brotherhood, an ally of Hamas.

Israel attacked Hamas led Gaza strip in 2014 with an aim to flatten entire neighbourhoods. Israel justifies its
actions by calling Hamas an organization with culture of death and has resorted to attacking entire Gaza strip to
target Hamas. This is the classic definition of the doctrine of collective responsibility, illegal by international law.
UNHR chief Navi Pillay also condemned the actions of Israel by asking it to avoid killing civilians.

The international community has come close only once vis--vis asking for Israeli accountability when Goldstone
Commission was set up in 2009. However, the report of the commission was shelved and no price was paid by the
Israelis for use of chemical weapons and for attacking civilian infrastructure.

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)

ISIS is led by Abu-Bakr-al-Baghdadi who has established the Islamic state and declared himself Caliph and the
leader of all muslims in the world.
Other religious leaders have opposed Baghdadis declaration on different grounds. Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has
rejected the move on the basis of procedural matters arguing that ISIS Calipate was null and void because it was
not based on consultations (shura). However, most scholars wanted to maintain that the concept of Caliphate of
immense importance to the muslim world.

ISIS has shown uniqueness compared to other Islamic terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and Al-
Shabab etc in the fact that none of them have ever controlled a territory for any length of time with the purpose of
establishing a sharia state. The ISIS state may be regarded as the Wahabi model on steroids with already reports of
imposition of burqa, restriction of music etc.

Further, a long period of success and autonomous control of ISIS over the territory may encourage other Islamic
outfits to try and imitate their methods. With this the terrorist movements may realign themselves from western
countries to enemy Islamic states. Under threat would be important allies of the West like Saudi Arabia.

Turkey Internal Situation

Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the 1st President of Turkey to be directly elected, winning against a Kurdish
candidate. The change of election process of President to one by popular ballot was introduced after a referendum
in 2007. Previously, there was system of appointment by the legislature.

There is increasing dissent among the opposition parties vis--vis suppression of democratic expression by the
government.

The Turkish government has declared its intention to recognize an independent Kurdish state. Kurds are an ethnic
group spread over a middle east, mainly Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey and aim to secure an independent nation of
Kurdistan. Kurds in Syria are against Assad government and FSA and many Islamist Kurds have joined ISIS, Al-Nusra
Front. However, main Kurdish group Protection of Kurdish People (YPG) is fighting ISIS and Al-Nusra Front, though
they dont support Assad troops.

There are several changes to the polity within the country and this has led to a sharp polarization between the
rural, religious population and urban, educated, secular citizens. However, Erdogan has chosen to put several curbs
to civil liberties which existed until recently. This and his handling of corruption cases has made him relatively
unpopular with the educated and the international community.

Turkey is a founding member of Council of Europe, the premier human rights body which enforces European
Convention on Human Rights. Historically, Turkey has suffered at least 4 instances of military coups but now is by
and large ruled under elected leadership.

Middle East Worker Woes

In the Middle East, the Kafala system operates under which the worker is beholden (indebted) to the employer who
sponsored their visa. Until this system is reformed, it is not expected that life of workers will improve.

In UAE, the workers are not permitted to change jobs for 2 years. In Saudi Arabia, employers take possession of the
original residency papers which makes it hard for the workers to run away.
Similarly, several agencies arranging for employment reject application for changing jobs if there is no consent from
the employer.
Mali - Recent Events
In the past one year, Mali has witness an ethnic uprising, Islamist insurgency, military coup, arrival of foreign troops
and at last elections to establish a democratic government.
Some of the issues that would be confronted by the new government

1. How to address the ambitions of Tuaregs, whose rebellion kicked off the crisis in Mali.
2. Mali ranks 182 out of 187 in HDI.
3. Economy, school and infrastructure need immediate attention.

Pakistan Internal Situation

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has become active in spreading terrorism within its territory. They demand imposition
of Sharia law and withdrawal of the Pakistani Army from FATA. The number of incidents have increased drastically
after the rise of the Nawaz Shareef Government, which has the unique achievement of the following the 1st
Government to complete its full term of 5 years.
After coming to power Nawaz Shareef has declared his intentions

1. Boosting trade and investment in the country. Internal surveys have shown that common citizen in Pakistan
is strongly in favour of enhancing trade with India.
2. Strict action to remove terrorist agencies from Pakistan soil.

India is more hopeful to have a greater level of engagement with Pakistan under the Shareef Government. Even the
military of Pakistan has recently declared that it considers the presence of extremists on its soil a greater threat.
Further, with the pulling out of NATO from Afghanistan, Pakistan cannot risk having conflicts on two fronts. The
Shareef Government called an All Party Conference which unanimously decided to engage in unconditional
discussions with Taliban. However, their Army wants unconditional submission from them.
A critical need to devise new ways to avoid controversies on LoC has arisen. A solution could be to create more
demilitarized zones on the LoC.
The tendency of the two countries to involve media before diplomats has proven to be a destabilizing factor.

Pakistan Relations
Policy of Pakistan in the past decade Death by a thousand cuts.

There is overwhelming consensus that Pak Army has ordered de-escalation of tensions with India, but only as a
short-term tactical accommodation. However, recent events will invariably lead to slow down on dialogue with Pak.
Pak Armys political capital rests on the argument that India is working for Paks destruction. Creating a positive
image of India in Pakistani civilians will be a huge blow to their Armys hegemony.
It is Indias interest that democracy gains ground in Pakistan. Most political parties in Pak are in favour of improving
ties with India. This is true both for outgoing and incoming political parties. There has also been greater Track II
engagement between the two countries. The political power of the military has also waned as is evident with the
recent indictment of Pervez Musharraf. However, it still has influence over major decisions.

In trade relations, instead of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status, Pakistan had suggested Non-Discriminatory
Access (NDA). However, India feels that a better term would be Non-Discriminatory Market Access (NDMA). Also,
India has declared that before holding further discussions, 3 issues need to be solved

1. Permission for the use of containers

2. Operationalization of 24x7 trade across the Wagah border
3. Dismantling of the 2 negative lists that are used by Pakistan against India
Currently, Pakistan has clamped the import of about 1000 items and also doesnt permit import on sensitive list
under SAFTA.

Nepal Internal Situation

Between 2001 and 2005, the political battle ensued between monarchists and republicans. This culminated into the
Peoples Movement of 2006 which culminated in setting up of democratic framework of the government.
Subsequent to this, a polarization occurred between Maoists and Non-Maoists with the latter doubting the
commitment of former towards democratic principle. Since 2012, the Maoists have favoured identity-based
federalism which would enable transfer of power to excluded social groups i.e. divide provinces based on
culture/ideology. This is similar to the process of States reorganization that took place in India since 1950s. But the
Non-Maoists opined that this would cause disintegration. Consequently, the Constituent Assembly (CA) was
dissolved without drafting a constitution.
Now, election for a second CA is scheduled for November. If this election is disrupted, it is believed that the Chief
Justice led interim government will collapse and the monarchists will demand reinstatement of monarchy.

India has stayed away from the federalism debate but has unequivocally expressed her desire for a democratic
framework in Nepal. It was India that pushed forward for setting a Chief Justice-led care-taker government.

Bhutan Polity Framework

Recently, Bhutan had elections for the central government. The elections in Bhutan take place in 2 phases. In the
primary round, which is a pre-selection process, two out of four parties were shortlisted for the second phase. The
parties were the ruling party Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party
of Bhutan (DPD). In the second phase, only 2 parties are able to contest elections, therefore, there are no coalition
governments in Bhutan. In the second phase, the opposition party DPD came to power.

A large part of votes (about 18%) in Bhutan take place through postal votes. An additional difficulty apart from
difficult terrain is that people can only cast their vote in native villages which are hard to reach from cities where
they are employed or studying.

Bhutan started process of democratization in 1953 with setting up of National Assembly by the Third King. In 2001,
a more dramatic decision was taken by the Fourth King of adopting a written constitution and setting up of an
Election Commission, allowing formation of political parties with a two-party Parliament and creating a National
Council (Upper House) and National Assembly (Lower House). In 2008, the Fourth King abdicated his throne and
passed on the crown to his son.

For conducting elections, Bhutan took extensive assistance from ECI. India helped in training, observation and
shared detailed handbook and manuals. Bhutan decided that only graduates are eligible for contesting elections
and anyone with a criminal record is barred. India also assisted in conducting a mock election with use of EVMs,
supplied by India. Also, the election is state-funded in Bhutan.

Indonesia Internal Situation

Similar to a remarkable victory of Modi, Indonesia has seen transfer of power to the charismatic Joko Widodo a.k.a.
Jokowi. He started his political career as the Mayor of Solo in Java. After transforming the city, he took over as the
Governor of Jakarta in 2012 after defeating a veteran candidate belonging to General Suhartos party Golkar.

Interpretations of victory of Jokowi

 1. The Indonesian people want a change from the legacy of Suhartos dictatorship (autocratic concept of
Guided Democracy introduced by Sukarno)
2. The system of decentralized governance, which allowed Jokowi to demonstrate his leadership at the local
level first, can be seen as the preferred path towards national leadership.
3. Like Modi, Jokowi will need to show results from Day one.

Scotland Referendum
The Act of Union bound Scotland and Wales to Britain in 1707. After 300 years, Scotland had a referendum to
choose to become independent or remain a part of UK but with increased powers for self-rule.

The Yes campaign is led by Scottish National Party (SNP) led by First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond. The
Campaign makes offers for universal child care, free university education, better pensions and ending
manufacturing of WMDs. The Better Together Campaign has promised substantial devolution of powers to avoid
the split. Also, there was fear among the Scottish that they would lose the right to use Pound as their currency as
well as lose membership of the EU. These fears led to the winning of the No Campaign.

The Yes vote would have had a profound influence for autonomy and independence throughout Europe. Madrid
also has a plebiscite to be held in November 2014 in Catalonia province due to the secessionist movement in
Basque.

The root of issue has been the deep economic crisis with erosion of incomes, jobs and health and housing benefits.
Scotlands problems have been traced to the economic policy of Margaret Thatcher which led to the decline of the
manufacturing and heavy industries. Due to this, there are gross inequalities in Scotland. Along with a major loss in
manufacturing employment, there has been massive shift to overseas ownership.

The social indicators of Scotland are consistently lower the averages of Britain including lower life expectancy,
higher unemployment, lower pay.

It may be argued that UK will be on the losing side as it would lose 32% of the area but only 8% of the population if
Scotland decides to separate. Further, Scotland has 90% of oil fields of UK which are located in the North Sea.
However, the capability of Scotland in tapping the oil resource has been questioned (but it can always outsource
extraction and processing).

Hong Kong Occupy Central Protests

During the entire period of British rule (155 years following the Opium wars), the democratic advancement of the
territory was minimal. In 1997, Chinese government promised that the Chief Executive (CE) would be elected by
universal suffrage in 2017, though a committee would be formed to supervise the nominations.

Currently, Hong Kong operates under One country-two system policy since the transition from a British colony to
a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. During the current protests, the residents led by students are
demanding full democracy which includes open nomination of candidates for CE position. The protests began when
Beijing was accused of reneging on its commitment to hold the elections on universal suffrage.

The root of the discontent of Hong Kong residents lies in the dislocation of identity because wealthy mainlanders
are encroaching upon the established businesses in Hong Kong. Further, the property prices have skyrocketed in
Hong Kong with 70% of income going into mortgage payments for a large section of the residents.
Fiji Election
Fiji has chosen its first elected leader in 8 years. The winner is Commodore Vorege Bainimarama of First Fiji Party,
who had previously gained power through a bloodless coup in 2006. There are sanctions on the country due to
global condemnation of 2006 coup which are now expected to be removed. The country will also be allowed to
return to the Commonwealth with full status. Bainimaramas agendas include ending corruption and racial
discrimination in policies and taking the economy forward. However, he has sought to bring indigenous Fijian
political supremacy by reworking the Constitution. For this purpose, he deliberately delayed returning to
democracy.

Fijis 43% population is of ethnic Indians and the 4 coups that took place between 1987 and 2006 were due to
tensions between indigenous Fijians and ethnic Indians.

After elections, the military still retains some level of influence in the polity of the country. There also need to bring
greater level of freedom for the judiciary and the media.

In the visit of PM in Nov 2014, the country was given $80 mn as development assistance as well as visa-on arrival
facility.

Arctic Council
In 2013, India received observer status in the Arctic Council, along with China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and
Italy, which coordinates the policy on Arctic. For receiving this observer status, India had to agree to the following
criteria

1. Recognizing the sovereign rights of Arctic states. This assures a pre-emptive role for the Arctic littoral states
which are US, Russia, Canada, Denmark and Norway. Therefore, theres no longer a room for argument that
this region be treated as a global commons same as Antarctica (Antarctica Treaty of 1959).
2. Recognizing UNCLOS as the legal basis for management of Arctic. Again, this provides the maritime
influence in the region to the littoral states.
3. Being able to contribute to work of the Arctic Council.

However, Indias position as an observer puts it in a better position for

1. Taking part in the scientific research into the changing Arctic environment. It can be added to the agendas
being discussed in UNFCCC.
2. Being a part to minimize adverse consequences of Arctic becoming open to intensified human activity.
3. India can push for a global regime in the Arctic without violating the above conditions.
4. China has also positioned itself through asset acquisition in Russia and Canada.

Foreign Policy Uncoordinated Approach

A perception has grown for many years now that the role of MEA has greatly diminished in contributing to the
critical foreign policy. This has affected the morale of IFS and has questioned its relevance. A recent instance has
been the recalling of oil and gas subsidy given to Bhutan without any clearance from the Foreign Office.

Some initiatives to reclaim role by MEA

1. Increase in recruitment of IFS officers to address shortage in manpower.

2. Setting up of Public Diplomacy Division to coordinate projection of Indias soft power (economic or cultural
influence in international relations).
 3. Establishing Development Partnership Administration (DPA) to coordinate and execute Indias assistance
programme.

Areas where improvement can be done

1. Unburdening the Foreign Secretary who is enormously overworked while other secretaries within the
ministry are relatively under-worked. Sometimes, meetings with colleagues need to be set months in
advance.
Foreign Secretary is responsible for bilateral and multi-lateral work, media relations, public diplomacy,
assistance programmes, consular work and coordination of secretaries.
2. Setting up of departments as in other ministries with two or more Secretaries.
3. Committee of Secretaries, chaired by Foreign Secretary, should be set up for coordination purposes.
Currently, such meetings are highly polarized towards Foreign Secretary.
4. With increasingly diverse issues emerging in the international scene, specializations need to be promoted
to create experts in various fields, to match with that of other countries.
5. It needs to be ensured that National Security Advisors Office and National Security Council Secretariat does
not take decisions without the consent of the Foreign Office.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

It was established in 1998 through the Rome Statute. India, in this process, abstained from voting while countries
such as US, Iraq, Israel and China voted against the formation of ICC. The ICC only tries individuals and not states.
ICC is different from International Court of Justice (ICJ) which is the primary judicial body of UN.

India has not been in favour of internationalizing criminal justice and, on this idea, she had inked a Bilateral
Immunity Agreement with US in 2002 which will nullify the impact of ICC as far as US personnel are concerned.
However, this perception of intrusion by ICC may not be right. ICC only steps in when state does not act or acts in
ways to shield the perpetrators.

In 2010, the ICC has added a new criterion of aggression which targets the leaders of acts of aggression,
committed by a state on another state. However, if the leader of the aggressor side does not belong to a country
which is a member of ICC, no prosecution can take place regardless of the membership of the victim state. Due to
this limitation, most of the cases in ICC are restricted to Africa countries.

Indias Role in Multilateral Order

After the end of Cold War, India has adopted a pro-change stance with demand for a permanent membership in
UNSC and membership in the various climate change and technology control regimes. However, India does not play
a major role in areas of oceans, food and cyber security, though China is already playing a major role in these areas.

However, India does not have the same economic development as other internationally active countries. The areas
where India is lagging behind

1. India per capita GDP is lowest in G-20, a mere 3% of that of US.

2. About 30% of the Indian population pays taxes (incorrect?).
3. India has the lowest number of police officers per capita in G-20.
4. Indias 900 diplomats are the same number as New Zealand or Singapore.
Syria Conflict
Legally speaking, Syria has not violated international law by using chemical weapons against its own people. It is
not a signatory to Chemical Weapons Convention (1993). It is a member of Geneva Protocol (1925) but that only
applied to international armed conflict. Further, the Syrian government reported first use of chemical weapons by
rebels but this probe was blocked for 5 months by USA.

Further, it must be noted that the Western countries have condoned such acts before. They have been used in Iraq
and Syria internally before. Also, USA has itself been a major violator with extensive use of Agent Orange and other
chemicals in the Vietnam War (but CWC was started only 1993).

Syria is not home to many Indian expatriates nor does India import substantial amount of oil from the country.
However, India must take decisions carefully in order to conduct itself as an emerging power and one that is fit to
claim UNSC seat. Under Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian government has run a secular regime and supports Syrias right
to Golan Heights and Indias stand in Kashmir issue. Such a favour for India is rare in the Arab world with most
staying non-aligned and tacitly supporting Pakistan.

Bangladesh India Relations

Bangladesh is a natural pillar to Indias Look East Policy. The import of electricity has started from India to
Bangladesh and is expected to go up to 500 MW by the end of the year on a 35-year contract. Bangladesh, as a
friendly neighbor, can ensure that no terror or insurgent activities take place from its soil and also counters that
dominating presence of China in the region.

Some disputes between the two countries

1. Major issues are water sharing, particularly Indias construction and operation of Farakka Barrage to
increase the water supply to Hoogly. Bangladesh claims that it reduces water supply in the dry season and
causes flooding when India releases water during monsoons. On Teesta river, water and security experts
support the cause of Bangladesh, but there is not support from the West Bengal Govt. This directly delays
the grant for corridor for connecting Bengal to NE states.
2. Sluggish execution of Tipaimukh hydropower project on Barak River in Bangladesh.
3. Continuing huge influx of migrants from Bangladesh.

US India Relations
India and US are related by the virtue of largest democracy and oldest democracy respectively. However, there has
been a big drift in bilateral ties. With several high level dignitaries visiting India, US has shown interest in
strengthening ties with India under the Modi government.

The most important agenda is on cooperation in the defence sector. India is worlds largest weapons importer but
now exchange of technology from selling is being seen as the way to transform defence ties. Plans have been made
to co-produce and co-develop Javelin anti-tank missile of Raytheon-Lockheed Martin. Rather than gaining Javelin
technology, the deal would show seriousness of US in increasing defence engagement with India (However, the
deal has now been shelved after missile deal with Israel was finalized).

Some recent events

1. India accepted US offer for membership to in its Global Entry Trusted Traveler Network Programme,
which is a scheme to expedite the entry of approved Indian travelers at US border points. This scheme has
been extended to a select few countries.
 2. NPCIL and Westinghouse concluded a preliminary contract to develop a nuclear power plant in Gujrat.
Commitment was promised to conclude the Civl Nuclear Liability Agreement.
3. On fighting terrorism, they agreed on exchange of intelligence and homeland security cooperation.
4. Development of a Joint Declaration on Defence Cooperation was mooted.
5. India decided to participate in the naval exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), being hosted by US Pacific
Command.
6. Over the issue of Hydro-Flouro Carbons, the India was successful in winning temporary time extension to
discuss options based on economically viable and technically feasible alternatives.

South Korea India Relations

Some of the recent agreements that were signed -

1. To promote defence engagement, Agreement on Protection of Classified Military Information was signed.
2. Revision of the existing Double Taxation Avoidance Convention is taking place.
3. On setting up nuclear plant in India, South Korea was unable to cover any new ground.
4. Intentions to launch Cyber Affairs Dialogue were declared

Japan India Relations

India has secured the most advantageous position in trilateral relations with its recent improvement in ties with
Japan and China.

Japan pledged investment of $35 bn in the next 5 years which will be overseen by a dedicated team in the PMO to
remove any red tape. However, Japans cumulative FDI in China was $100 bn by the end of 2013, accounting for
Japans 30% outward stock in Asia.

Some steps India needs to take to better welcome the incoming funds

1. Improvement in quality of labour-intensive workforce to match those of China.

2. Better infrastructure esp. in case of power, transportation, ports and access to natural resources.
3. Export-oriented policies. (Why?)

Steps India should take

1. Instead of getting entangled in collective security bloc with shared political and military commitments,
India should emphasize on bilateral ties as is the case with Tokyo Declaration.
2. India should constantly take into consideration historical relationships that have existed between countries.
3. Keep sight over growing relationship of Russia and China

Australia India Relations

Julia Gillard proved to be a friend by overturning her partys ban on uranium sales as well as driving efforts to
address student crisis in 2010. Such benevolent conduct is also expected from Tony Abbott. Some areas where
association between India and Australia could increase

1. Higher education Top Australian universities are researching in the field of renewable energy, medicine,
water management etc. which may find huge application to Indian conditions.
2. Common concern of rising presence of China in the Indian Ocean. Bilateral naval exercises are due in 2015.

With Tony Abbotts visit in Sept 2014, there has been increase in engagement between the two countries. In his
speech, Abbott highlighted the common democratic heritage, historical connection and the use of same language
as similarities within the two countries. Referring to India as a democratic superpower, he pointed out the India
and Australia lie in the dynamic and strategically significant Indo-Pacific region. India is already the 5th largest
export market for Australia and largest source of migrants to Australia with a total strength exceeding 4 lac people.
Comparing himself to Modi, Abbott has declared Australia is open for business in tandem to Modis slogan
Come, make in India. Australia aims to conclude CEPA with India by 2016.

Various areas of engagement between the two countries

1. Energy The two countries signed the Civil Nuclear Agreement which allows the sale of Uranium to India.
Also, Australian government has approved Adani Groups development of Carmichael coal deposits in
Queesland. This mine will become the biggest in the world.
2. Higher education Australia has seen a 15% rise in the arrival of Indian students.
3. Agriculture World-class agricultural sector of Australia can provide India with better crop and herd
productivity and provision for storage, transport and food processing.
4. Strategic ties Australia and India have shared interests in checking growing presence of China.

Interestingly, Australia was one of those who opposed 1998 Pokhran tests. The Civil Nuclear Agreement is an
important agreement as Australia has worlds 40% reserves of Uranium. Australia is keen to sell Uranium to India
after loss of demand following the Fukushima disaster.

Nuclear Deal with Japan and Australia

Japan -

The Civil Nuclear Agreement has still not been concluded. Japan had until recently objected to Indias insistence on
not signing the NPT. Only in 2011, Japan has finally agreed to open negotiations on civil nuclear cooperation.

3 main issues

1. Japan wants India to sign CTBT while India has merely offered a moratorium on testing.
2. Japan wants India to accept basic rights to reprocess spent fuel. India has maintained that it wants to
retain such a right albeit under adequate safeguards and only for peaceful purposes.
3. Japan wants greater level of inspections than what has been agreed to with IAEA for nuclear deal with
USA. That agreement with USA provided for NSG waiver in 2008.

Japanese agreement is cardinal for Indias nuclear programme as Japans Mitsubishi and Toshiba also supplies
critical components for Westinghouse, GE and Areva power plants.

Australia

Australia has realized of indias stabilizing influence in the region and become more tolerant of Indias stand against
CTBT and NPT. Though the current demand of India for nuclear fuel is small from Australias perspective, the
conclusion of the deal has opened doors for cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, transnational crimes,
disaster management and maritime security.

Australia also looks to play a crucial part in quadrilateral ties with Japan, US and India.
 China India Relations
The first Chinese President to visit India was Chiang Kai Shek in 1942 soon after Japan entered the WW II. He came
to persuade INC to support British in their war effort but went back without any results (Japan occupation was
underway in China). The visit in 2014 is also taking place in the background of engagements with Japan.

After no conclusion came to the civil nuclear agreement with Japan, India plans to rope in China. India plans to
increase its nuclear power share from 4800 MW to 20,000 MW by 2020. In this context, China may prove to be an
easier and cheaper source.

Prior to coming to India, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited other neighbours such as Maldives and Sri Lanka which
were part of the Maritime Silk Road Project. Modi called Jinpings visit as commencement of Millennium of
Exceptional Synergy and suggested that these meeting should be called INCH (India-China) towards MILES
(Millennium of Exceptional Synergy).

President Xi Jinping noted that bilateral trade between India and China has increased from $3 bn to $70 bn since
2000. During his visit, he said that China is ready to contribute to Indias development in infrastructure and
manufacturing. Also, he welcomed the Indian IT and pharma companies to tap the Chinese market. According to
him, a combination of the worlds factory and the worlds back office will produce the most competitive
production base and the most attractive consumer market.

Some projects between India and China

1. BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) Economic Corridor

2. Silk Road Economic Belt
3. Maritime Silk Road Although India has shown less interest, there may be huge benefits of developing the
coastal infrastructure when Sri Lanka and Maldives are also doing the same.

Some problems

1. Against expectations of $100 bn, Chinese only inked deals worth $20 bn. This is because Chinas experience
with investment in India has not been good outside Gujrat.
2. China is not as experienced in working with India, unlike Japan.
3. India is not so keen on pursuing BCIM corridor. BCIM corridor brings Chinese access to the unstable NE
region which is strategically undesirable.
4. LAC intrusions India believes that the border should be defined by the watershed or highest line of
mountains. China wants to stick to McMahon line defined by Simla Conference of 1914. Rather than of
strategic importance, this issue is merely of not backing down while the domestic audience watches. Beijing
doesnt want to drop the issue of Arunachal Pradesh after demanding it for so long (Speculation).

Some developments in the recent India-China Strategic dialogue

1. On the border disputes, India and China are working on Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA)
which will seek to update the 2005 agreement to maintain and promote peace and security at the border.
However, Indias proposal for a separate mechanism on disputes regarding trans-border river flows was not
approved by China.
2. To address the trade deficit of $35 bn, agreements were signed which will increase Indias trade by $7 bn.
Some measures of making this happen include reducing import duties on cotton, buffalo meat export, and
increase in trade of marine products.
 3. China is exporting large number of power equipment. Service centres for these equipments were to be set
up in India.
4. The Home ministry has advised against considering Chinese companies for oil exploration rights due to
security reasons, especially the oil blocks located close to the Pakistan border, or other strategically
sensitive areas. However, it must be noted that Indias oil assets are not popular among foreign bidders.
Also, there has never been concrete evidence against the Chinese even in the Telecom or IT sector.

UK India Relations
India and China remain central to the economic revival strategy of Britain. Some areas of engagements

1. UK has still not lost hope of selling its Typhoon jets

2. Indian companies have become major investors in UK such as Tata in JLR, Mahindra in electric car
technology, Cipla in drugs research
3. Visa issue Earlier, a limit was imposed on the number of foreign students that can study in UK. This limit
has now apparently been removed.
4. Agusta Westland Inquiry (British Company) Its subsidiary in Italy is Finnemeccanica.

Nepal India Relations

Under Modi, India reiterated of Nepal-India bilateral relations as well as relations as a part of the 8-member SAARC.

During Modis visit

1. India pledged to bolster Nepals energy security by agreeing to establish a two-phase product pipeline from
Raxaul (Bihar) to Kathmandu to transport petroleum products. Also, discussions were held to connect the
countries with a gas pipeline.
2. The two countries aim to revise the Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 to remove big brother status of
India.

Iran India Relations

In a sudden announcement, Iran has declined the earlier offer to receive full payment in rupee for the crude oil.
This earlier intention was to reduce the CAD by $8.5 bn. by making full payment in rupee. It has now reverted to
earlier system of payment of 45% in rupee.

Further, Iran has also withdrawn the offer of production sharing contract (PSC) to OVL. Under the PSC, the operator
gets share of production or revenue in proportion to the investment.

Until 2011, Iran was 2nd largest oil supplier to India. Now it is at 6th place, behind Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Venezuela,
Kuwait and UAE.

US troops exodus from Afghanistan

Since 2009, 60,000 troops have been removed by USA and only 17,000 remain. After 2014, the western countries
plan to keep 8000 to 12000 troops with 2/3rd being from US. After making a huge mess in Iraq, US wants to avoid
the same result in Afghanistan. Afghan National Security Forces have strength of 334,000 and is considered less
than the required amount for maintaining peace and security.

India-Indonesia Relations
Indonesia is a critical source of coal imports for India. Further, Indian entrepreneurs are making investments in
Indonesias coal, oil, gas and mining sectors.
India and Indonesia share similar experiences and ideologies. They have been partners in independence, champions
of non-alignment (under Sukarno), and are democracies with young population with demographic dividend.

5) Maritime security and neutrality is imperative for Indonesia as it is for India. President Jokowi has reiterated
the old slogan Jalaseva Jayamahe (At sea, we are triumphant). Indonesia is going to chair the Indian Ocean
Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) and can play an important role in maritime politics.

Geographic Indication

4)
Minerals:
1) Metallic Minerals:
2) Non-metallic minerals:

Random Current Affairs

1.India moves up in ease of doing business ranking :

India now ranks 130 out of 189 countries in the ease of doing business 2016, according to a World Bank report.
The original ranking for 2015 had been pegged at 142, which would give India a jump of 12 ranks, but the WB's
mid-year revision had bumped up India's rank to 134.
The improvement in two indicators, starting a business and getting electricity, pushed India up the ladder,
according to the report.
The report also commended the legislative changes that eliminated the minimum capital requirement and the
requirement to obtain a certificate to start business operations.

2. 'Sin tax' for alcohol, tobacco industries in GST regime :

Alcohol and tobacco industries will soon have to pay more taxes towards an additional sin taxunder the proposed
GST structure.
There is a provision in the proposed GST bill under which the sinful industries such as alcohol and tobacco will
have to pay an additional tax. However, the rate at which this tax would be levied under the proposed GST regime is
not yet decided.

What is Sin tax?

Sin tax is a globally prevalent practice under which products like alcohol and tobacco attract higher rates of tax.
Typically, sin tax is an excise tax that is levied on products and services considered to be bad for health or society
such as alcohol, tobacco and gambling.

3. GOLD DEPOSIT SCHEME

The Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines for the gold monetization scheme that allow banks to fix their
own interest rates on gold deposits.
Gold Monetisation scheme:
 Through the Gold Monetisation Scheme, gold in any form can be deposited with banks for a period of one to 15
years. This gold will earn interest and redemption will be at the prevailing market value at the end of the tenure of
deposit.
The scheme also provides for incentives to the banks, while individuals and institutions can deposit as low as 30
gm of gold, while the interest earned on it would be exempt from income tax as well as capital gains tax.
The scheme is aimed at mobilising a part of an estimated 20,000 tonnes of idle precious metal with households and
institutions.
This scheme was actually announced in the Budget for 2015-16.

4. Maharashtra imposes tax to tackle drought :

In a bid to raise funds to tackle the drought situation, the Maharashtra government has decided to impose drought
tax.
This is the first time since 1973 that a state government has decided to take such a drastic step.
This tax is meant to help farmers who have been hit by one of the worst droughts in recent times. Drought tax
includes:
Tax on petrol and diesel, VAT on liquor, cigarettes and beverages, and surcharge on VAT for gold and diamond
jewelleries.
A tax of Rs. 2 per litre would be charged on petrol and diesel, while Value Added Tax (VAT) on liquor, cigarettes
and beverages has been raised by 5%. Also, the surcharge on VAT for gold and diamond jewelleries has been
raised from 1 to 1.20 %.

5. PRADHAN MANTRI JAN DHAN YOJANA:

The PMJDY was conceived as a national mission on financial inclusion with
the objective of covering all households in the country with banking facilities and having a bank account for each
household.
It is a scheme for comprehensive financial inclusion.
Benefits under PMJDY Scheme:
Interest on deposit.
Accidental insurance cover of Rs.1.00 lac
Accounts can be opened with zero balance. No minimum balance required.
Life insurance cover of Rs.30,000/-
Easy Transfer of money across India
Beneficiaries of Government Schemes will get Direct Benefit Transfer in these accounts.
After satisfactory operation of the account for 6 months, an overdraft facility will be permitted
Access to Pension, insurance products.
Accidental Insurance Cover, RuPay Debit Card must be used at least once in 45 days.
Overdraft facility upto Rs.5000/- is available in only one account per household, preferably lady of the household.

6. India now most attractive investment destination: EY

India has been named the most attractive country for investment in a survey of more than 500 global investors
published by accounting firm EY (Ernst & Young).
According to the survey, the second most favoured investment destination is China and is followed by Southeast
Asia and Brazil.
32% of the 505 executives questioned said India was their favoured market for investment, with China second on
15% of the vote. About 62% said they were looking at manufacturing, both to serve the Indian and global markets
from India.
Perception about Indias macroeconomic stability is up to 76% in 2015 in comparison to 70% in.
Perception about political and social stability is up from 59% in 2014 to 74% in 2015.
For relaxation in FDI policy the score improved from 60% in 2014 to 68% in 2015.
For governments efforts to ease doing business the score has improved from 57% in 2014 to 67% in 2015.
 Compared to the 2014 survey, the number of respondents, who believe that India would be among the worlds
leading top three destinations for manufacturing by 2020, had increased from 24% to 35%, while those who believed
India would evolve as a regional and global hub for operations was up from 9% to 21%.
Among specific reforms expected to drive growth, 89% of the investors polled said that investment in infrastructure
projects and the 100 Smart Cities project would be significant.
Financial inclusion, including Digital India and the Governments proposal to reduce the rate of corporate tax from
30 %to 25%, were considered significant by 83% of the respondents.
Implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and legislation on land acquisition were also mentioned by
investors as important for attracting FDI.
Investors rated Indias domestic market and availability of labour among the most attractive features for doing
business.

7. Sunderbans to get a student army of conservationists :

An ambitious project has been started in West Bengal under which Schoolchildren in the Sunderbans area will learn
about tiger conservation and pass on the experience to their elders.
Under this project, two fully equipped edutainment boats carrying a projector, a sound system, generators, a library,
films related to conservation and wildlife photographs will be launched in the Sunderbans which will help students in
understanding the importance of this area.
Sundarbans:
The Sundarbans is a natural region in West Bengal and Bangladesh. It is the largest single block of tidal halophytic
mangrove forest in the world.
The Sundarbans covers approximately 10,000 square kilometers (3,900 sq mi) of which 60% is in Bangladesh with
the remainder in India.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

8. Mangroves in India:

Mangroves in India account for about 3% of the worlds mangrove vegetation. Mangrove cover in India is 4,662 sq.
km, which is 0.14% of the countrys total geographical area.
Sundarbans in West Bengal accounts for almost half of the total area under mangroves in the country. Mangrove in
India is famous for its rich variety of flora and fauna.
Composition of Mangroves in India:
The very dense mangrove comprises 1,403 sq. km (30.10% of the total mangrove cover), moderately dense
mangrove is 1,658.12 sq. km (35.57 %) while open mangroves cover an area of 1,600.44 sq. km (33%).
9.What is Bioethanol?
Bioethanol is a form of quasi-renewable energy that can be produced from agricultural feedstocks. It can be made
from very common crops such as sugarcane, potato, cassava and corn. It is also made from corn, potatoes, milk,
rice, beetroot and recently grapes, banana and dates depending on the countries agricultural strength.
uses:
It is blended with petrol to make a truly sustainable transport fuel.
It is used in cosmetic and other manufacturing processes.

10. What are INDCs?

These are individual country commitments which are expected to indicate through their form and strength what
shape any 2015 agreement might take.
Countries across the globe have committed to create a new international climate agreement by the conclusion of
the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris in
December 2015.
 In preparation, countries have agreed to publicly outline what post- 2020 climate actions they intend to take under a
new international agreement, known as their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).
The INDCs combine the top-down system of a United Nations climate agreement with bottom-up system-in
elements through which countries put forward their agreements in the context of their own national circumstances,
capabilities and priorities, within the ambition to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions enough to keep global
temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius.
The INDCs will not only contain steps taken towards emission reductions, but also aim to address steps taken to
adapt to climate change impacts, and what support the country needs-or will provide to address climate change.
In February 2015, Switzerland became the first nation to submit its INDC to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
later followed by the European Union.

11. India to cut emissions intensity :

The Union Environment Ministry has finally submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), committing to cut the emissions intensity of GDP by
33-35% by 2030 from 2005 levels.
All nations were due to come out with emission targets ahead of a climate change conference in Paris in
December, where they are supposed to adopt a landmark deal to fight climate change.
Including India, 120 countries have now submitted their INDCs.
Indias proposed targets:
1. Reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35% by 2030 from 2005 level.
2. Achieve about 40% electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030 with
help of transfer of technology and low cost international finance.
3. Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree
cover by 2030.

12. Green India Mission Plans of Four States Approved :

National Mission for a Green India (GIM) falling under the Environment Ministry has approved annual plans for
Kerala, Mizoram, Manipur and Jhakhand.
Green India Mission:
It is one of the eight Missions outlined under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
It acknowledges the influence forests have on environmental amelioration through climate change mitigation, food
security, water security, biodiversity conservation and livelihood security of forest dependent communities.
It hinges on decentralized participatory approach involving grass root level organizations and community in
planning, decision making, implementation and monitoring.
It lays emphasis on landscape approach and convergence with complementary schemes and programmes for
better coordination in developing forests and their fringe areas in a holistic and sustainable manner.

13. Taking cue from Centre, State bans a drug to save vultures :

The kerala state government has withdrawn Ketoprofen, a non steroid anti- inflammatory drug (NSAID) used
extensively for veterinary purposes, to save the vulture population in three districts of the state.
The State government had included Ketoprofen based on an effort to identify an alternative to the banned drug
Diclofenac.
The Centre had banned Diclofenac multi-vial doses after wildlife biologists proved that presence of the drug in the
carcasses of the cattle caused the vulture population to dwindle drastically.
How vultures are affected by these drugs?
Vultures act as scavengers, preying on dead animals. Diclofenac in carcasses lead to slow death of vultures.
Ketoprofen, which is seen as an alternative, causes the same effect on the vulture population.
14. West Bengal to get Indias first dolphin reserve :

Indias first community reserve to protect the endangered Gangetic river dolphins will come up in West Bengal.
This decision was taken at the recently held State Wildlife Board meeting in WB.
The reserve will be set up in the Hooghly river.
The methodology to develop the community reserve is being chalked out by a separate committee. The committee
will take a decision based on inputs from all stakeholders since its a community reserve.

15. Gangetic Dolphin:

The Ganges River dolphin, or susu, inhabits the Ganges- Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river
systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. It is a freshwater dolphin.
Once found in thousands, there are fewer than 2,000 Gangetic dolphins left in the country in the entire distribution
range along the Ganga and Brahamaputra river system.
It was declared as the National Aquatic Animal in 2010.
One of the main threats to the species is loss of habitat due in large part to the creation of dams and irrigation
projects. It is also threatened by removal of river water and siltation arising from deforestation, pollution and
entanglement in fisheries nets.
This species is also referred to as the "blind dolphin".
It has been classified as endangered by the IUCN.

16. Fishermen apprehensive as Kerala prepares to roll out World Bank-aided project :

The Kerala government is gearing up to implement an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) project aimed
at livelihood improvement of coastal communities and conservation of the coastal ecosystem, amid voices of protest
from the fishermen community.
The project director has already been appointed by the government.
Why the fishermen are opposing?
The fishermen are apprehensive about the project and its impact on the coastline. They fear the project would pave
the way for a construction spree, jeopardising the fragile coastal environment and further endangering their
livelihood.

17. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM):

ICZM aims to improve livelihood of coastal communities and conserve the coastal ecosystem.
The ICZM plan involves identification of infrastructure requirements and livelihood improvement means in coastal
districts. Conservation of mangroves is among the components.
The national component of the project includes mapping of the countrys coastline and demarcation of the hazard
line.
It is a World Bank assisted project.
It is being implemented by the Department of Forests and Environment with assistance from the Union Ministry of
Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, will provide scientific and technical
inputs.
Kerala will be included in the second phase of the Rs.1,155.63-crore project that has already covered Gujarat,
Odisha and West Bengal.

18. Project Loon:

 Project Loon is a research and development project being developed by Google X with the mission of providing
Internet access to rural and remote areas.
The project uses high-altitude balloons placed in the stratosphere at an altitude of about 32 km to create an aerial
wireless network with up to 3G-like speeds.
How it operates?
The balloons are maneuvered by adjusting their altitude to float to a wind layer after identifying the wind layer with
the desired speed and direction using wind data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Users of the service connect to the balloon network using a special Internet antenna attached to their building.
The signal travels through the balloon network from balloon to balloon, then to a ground-based station connected to
an Internet service provider (ISP), then onto the global Internet.
Why stratosphere was chosen?
Google asserts that the stratosphere is advantageous because of its relatively low wind speeds and minimal
turbulence. Google also claims that it can model, with reasonable accuracy, the seasonal, longitudinal, and latitudinal
variations in wind speeds within the 1825 km stratospheric layer.

19. First Scorpene class submarine set afloat :

Kalavari, the first of Scorpene class submarines being manufactured at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), was
recently set afloat in the Mumbai naval dockyard.
The submarine will now undergo rigorous harbour trials and tests which will certify each system to its fullest
capacity.
Kalvari is first of the Indian Navys Scorpene class stealth submarines being built under the Project 75, under
collaboration with M/s DCNS, France.

20. Chemistry Nobel for mapping how cells repair damaged DNA :

Tomas Lindahl, Paul L. Modrich and Aziz Sancar have jointly won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for having
mapped and explained how the cell repairs its DNA and safeguards its genetic information.
Lindahl, of the Francis Crick Institute in London, was honoured for his discoveries on base excision repair the
cellular mechanism that repairs damaged DNA during the cell cycle.
Modrich, of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Duke University School of Medicine, was recognised for
showing how cells correct errors that occur when DNA is replicated during cell division.
Sancar, of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, was cited for mapping the mechanism cells use to repair
ultraviolet damage to DNA.

21. Kajita, McDonald win physics Nobel for neutrino work :

Takaaki Kajita of Japan and Arthur McDonald of Canada have won the 2015 Nobel Prize in physics for discovering
the "chameleon-like" nature of neutrinos, work that yielded the crucial insight that the tiny particles have mass.
Kajita showed in 1998 that neutrinos captured at the detector underwent a metamorphosis in the atmosphere. Three
years later McDonald found that neutrinos coming from the sun also switched identities.

22. What are neutrinos?

Neutrinos are miniscule particles created in nuclear reactions, such as in the sun and the stars, or in nuclear power
plants. There are three kinds of neutrinos.
Neutrinos interact with matter via the weak force. The weakness of this force gives neutrinos the property that
matter is almost transparent to them.
 Since they rarely interact, these neutrinos pass through the Sun, and even the Earth, unhindered. There are many
other natural sources of neutrinos including exploding stars (supernovae), relic neutrinos, natural radioactivity, and
cosmic ray interactions in the atmosphere of the Earth.
The neutrino was proposed by Wolfgang Pauli in 1930; but it took another 26 years for it to be actually detected. In
1956 Reines and Cowan found evidence of neutrino interactions by monitoring a volume of cadmium chloride with
scintillating liquid near to a nuclear reactor. Reines was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1995 in part for
this revolutionary work.

23. 3 win Nobel Prize in Medicine for parasite-fighting therapies :

Three scientists from the US, Japan and China have won the Nobel Prize in medicine for discovering drugs to fight
malaria and other tropical diseases that affect hundreds of millions of people every year.
The three scientists are:
1. Santoshi omura from Japan
2. Youyou tu from China
3. William campbell from Ireland
Campbell and Omura were cited for discovering avermectin, derivatives of which have helped lower the incidence
of river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, two diseases caused by parasitic worms that affect millions of people in
Africa and Asia.
Tu discovered artemisinin, a drug that has helped significantly reduce the mortality rates of malaria patients. Tu
Youyou is the first-ever Chinese medicine laureate.
River blindness is an eye and skin disease that ultimately leads to blindness. About 90% of the disease occurs in
Africa, according to the World Health Organization.
Lymphatic filariasis can lead to swelling of the limbs and genitals, called elephantiasis, and its primarily a threat in
Africa and Asia. The WHO says 120 million people are infected with the disease, without about 40 million disfigured
and incapacitated.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that still kills around 500,000 people a year, mostly in Africa, despite efforts to
control it.

24. DRDO sets up world's highest terrestrial centre in Ladakh

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has established the world's highest terrestrial
centre at 17,600 feet above sea level at Changla near Pengong lake in Ladakh.
key features:
The centre will serve as a natural cold storage for preserving rare and endangered medical plants for generations
to come.
The centre will act as an important utility for research work in frontal areas of food and agriculture and bio-medical
sciences for well being of the soldiers deployed in high altitude cold desert.
Other activities that are proposed to be undertaken here include human physiological work, designing, testing,
validation and demonstration of mobile and portable greenhouses, soil-less microfarming technologies for fresh food
in remote landlocked posts besides conservation and propagation of endangered extreme altitude medicinal plants
and others.

25. GAGAN:

GAGAN was develped by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI)
at a cost of Rs. 774 crore, over 15 years.
GAGAN will provide augmentation service for the GPS over the country, the Bay of Bengal, South East Asia and
Middle East and up to Africa.
 Some of its benefits are improved efficiency, direct routes, increased fuel savings, approach with vertical guidance
at runways, significant cost savings because of the withdrawal of ground aids and reduced workload of flight crew
and air traffic controllers.
Gagan works by augmenting and relaying data from GPS satellites with the help of two augmentation satellites and
15 earth-based reference stations.
The system utilises the satellite-based wide area augmentation system (SBAS) technology which has been
developed by Raytheon.

26. Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme VIKALP:

The Rail Ministry has announced a new scheme, called VIKALP, that would allow wait-listed passengers of a train to
opt for confirmed accommodation in alternate trains.
The Alternate Train Accomodation Scheme (ATAS), also called VIKALP, will come into effect beginning 1st
November on a pilot basis for six months on Delhi-Lucknow and Delhi-Jammu routes for tickets booked online.
The scheme has been launched with a view to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also
to ensure optimal utilisation of available accommodation
In this scheme, wait listed passengers of a train can opt for confirmed accommodation in alternate trains.

26. NPAs:

In August 2015, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the road sector was responsible for the second highest
amount of NPAs, after the steel sector.
A recent Crisil report said almost half of the road projects, being constructed under the build, operate, transfer with a
sanctioned debt of Rs. 45,900 crore, are at high risk of not being completed.

27. Indian islands to be developed under Swiss challenge model :

The Centre is going to implement a comprehensive plan to develop Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands,
for an integrated modernisation of the region, under its 'Sagarmala' initiative.
The plan is to develop these islands under the 'Swiss challenge system'.
What is swiss challenge system?
Swiss challenge method is a process of giving contracts. Any person with credentials can submit a development
proposal to the government. That proposal will be made online and a second person can give suggestions to
improve and beat that proposal.
It is a method where third parties make offers (challenges) for a project within a designated period to avoid
exaggerated project costs.
Is it new to India?
The Swiss challenge method is one that has been used in India by various states including Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Gujarat for roads and housing projects.
In 2009, the Supreme Court approved the method for award of contracts.

28. Sagarmala Initiative:

The Sagarmala project seeks to develop a string of ports around Indias coast. The objective of this initiative is to
promote Port-led development along Indias 7500 km long coastline.
It aims to develop access to new development regions with intermodal solutions and promotion of the optimum
modal split, enhanced connectivity with main economic centres and beyond through expansion of rail, inland water,
coastal and road services.
The Union Ministry of Shipping has been appointed as the nodal ministry for this initiative.
29. Nirbhay:

Nirbhay is an all-weather low-cost long-range cruise missile with stealth and high accuracy. The missile has a
range of more than 1000 km. It weighs about one tonne and has a length of 6 metres.
Its relatively slow flight speed allows it to navigate its way precisely to the target.
The Nirbhay cruise missile is an Indian version of the American Tomahawk.
The missile is capable of being launched from multiple platforms on land, sea and air.
In particular, Nirbhay is being adapted for the Indo/Russian Su- 30MKI. The missile is capable of carrying nuclear
warheads.
The missile is also capable of flying at different altitudes ranging from 500 m to 4 km above the ground and can
also fly at low altitudes to avoid detection by enemy radar.
A key hurdle to developing a long-range cruise missile like the Nirbhay is the Missile Technology Control Regime
(MTCR), which forbids signatory countries from assisting or providing technology to any other country developing a
cruise missile with a range of 300 km or more.

What is Zero rating?

Zero Rating is a practice by which Internet operators offer free data for specific applications. Advocates of Zero
Rating services have argued that this enables those offline to try online services, thereby bridging the digital divide.

30. Cyberdome to become operational next month :

Cyberdome, the hi-tech centre for cybersecurity being set up by the Kerala Police, is expected to become
operational by mid-November this year. about Cyberdome:
Cyberdome will be a hi-tech centre for cyber security. The project is worth Rs.2-crore. The project is being
established on the public-private partnership model with the technical support offered by IT companies.
Unique features of the project:
As many as 500 ethical hackers and cybersecurity experts would be involved in the project
It would have centres for social media awareness, protection of children on the Internet, Internet monitoring and
ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in service delivery.
It would also host an Anti-Cyber Terror Cell and a cyber security training unit.
It would be equipped with an automated crime intelligence gathering unit and a unit for anti-piracy on the Internet.
It will have its server hosted at the State Data Centre. Software companies will provide technical support on a
voluntary basis, develop software for the purpose, and supply technical manpower.
The station will be manned by police officers with IT-related qualifications. The Additional Director General of Police
(Crimes) will be in charge of the project.
Cyberdome would be open to new models of partnership to find solutions to emerging threats and challenges.

31. NISAR:

The Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a joint project between NASA and ISRO to co-
develop and launch a dual frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite.
The satellite will be the first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequency and it is planned to be used for remote
sensing to observe and understand natural processes of the Earth.
It is slated to be launched in 2020-21.
NISAR would provide information about a place more frequently than older satellites orbiting the Earth at present.
Among the objectives of NISAR are estimation of soil moisture, agriculture and forest biomass.
It is also designed to observe and take measurements of some of the planet's most complex processes, including
ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and
landslides
1)
ACTION PLAN FOR PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM
1) UNSCR 1267 comm. draft plan asked mem to dev. NA plan to prevent violent extremis
2) 7 broad areas
3) Indian Perspective
a) criticised UNs proposed plan to combat violent extremism, describing it insufficient.
b) Lack of clarity on definition of terrorism and violent extremism.
c) Action plan is full of prescriptions but low on what the UN will do.
d) lack of single contact point to assist Member States seeking the Organizations help.
4) Underlined the need for greater international cooperation

Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana. (200 Words)

Din Dayal Upadhayay Gram Jyoti Yojna is a flagship program of GOI under ministry of power to facilitate 24*7
supply of power.
It has following objective-
a) To provide electrification to all villages
b) Separation of power supply to farmers and other usage to ensure adequate electricity for everyone.
c) Ensuring the quality and reliability of supply by improving sub-transmission and distribution
d) Metering of connection to reduce loss

The concept of rural electrification has undergone various restructuring programs. DDUGY has replaced RGGJY
to ensure the economic development and improving the life standard of rural population.More than half targeted
villages has been electrified but some of the villages are updated as electrifies without any ground work.
The criteria to declare village electrified has not been strengthen and improved. Govt is dependent on DISCOMS to
provide data over connection.

By looking at the past schemes and programs to electrified the rural villages, They all seems good on papers, but
implementation and regulation part is missing. However, GOI has taken some good step to implement this scheme
like establishment of Gram Vidhyut Abhiyantas, to verify connection, and also use the local and renewable source
of energy to electrified villages.

Real Estate Bill

Key legal and regulatory challenges facing the proposed real estate regulator
No single window clearance system Regulator challenge
Mandatory approval and auditing requirements from professional agents like Lawyers, Chartered accountants
increases unnecessary regulation, strengthens red tape, increases the cost of the project at same time delays the
project
NO provision for regulation of inflated market prices and their accounting during registration
Lack of protection against nexus between developers, professionals and third party independent auditing agencies
Difficult to regulate these elements
May lead to ambiguity of jurisdiction and lack of coordination Land is a state subject, but, legislation passed by
parliament (concurrent list) No clarity on the compatibility and complementarily of state and central legislation in
the real estate sector
Regulation of residential real estate sector. Commercial real estate does not comes under the ambit of the bill. This
provision can be misused to bypass the regulatory oversight by registering as commercial entities
Smaller projects with less than 1000 sq m or 12 house apartments are excluded Hence, large share of small units
are not regulated Exploitation of customers in this segment may rise.
Improper registration of property, lack of clear land titles, ambiguity in registration procedure May increase the
legal cases Difficult to regulate the sector without hurdles
Use of black money in the sector NO proper provision to address this issue
Multiplicity of legislation Act does not repeal the existing legislation This may lead to clash of jurisdiction,
ambiguity and exploitation of loop holes to bypass the legislation
70:30 provision the rules for valuation of land will play a key role in making the 70-30 provisions effective. Each
state may come out with different rules on valuation of land, leading to ambiguity in the provision,
No power to determine the prices for the regulator (unlike TRAI for telecom and IRDA for insurance) Difficult
to protect the customers without this provision
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana,
With the aim of providing 5 crore subsidised liquefied petroleum gas connections to women of poor households
below BPL for the next three years and a budget of 8000 crore, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is a boon in disguise
to the poor.The target of the first year is to provide deposit free LPG connections to 1.5 crore women of BPL
families with a budget of 2000 crore.
Significance:-
Environmental:

Indoor air pollution caused by the traditional cooking methods from the chulha leads to 1.3 million premature deaths
in India every year.The programme rightly brings the focus on the developmental issue of enabling clean cooking
energy.
would check usage of Stubs of crops which are used for preventing soil erosion.
Social:

Usually womens health is poorly neglected in household priorities , the scheme brings to the forefront the quality of
life of poor women.
eases stress on women from wasting their energy on cutting wood,gives them opportunity to spend their time on
other chores like economic empowerment strategies as cooking is easy and not time consuming because of LPG .
Economic:

In the survey by the Columbia university, as many as 95 per cent of LPG-deprived households cite their inability to
pay as a barrier to their adopting LPG. Thus, the scheme is well-targeted to address the crucial impediment of a high
upfront cost, which has limited the transition towards LPG use in poorer households for example ,the rural informal
markets households who buy biomass via firewood and dung cakes end up paying more than those who rely on LPG.
It can provide employment opportunities for the youth especially in the rural areas as they can be part of the supply
chain mechanism.
can complement Jan dhan yojana in financial inclusion as for increase in penetration of the ujjwal yojana there is a
need for more bank accounts.
Challenges:
Once adopting LPG the households have to regularly refill cylinders which can incur high monthly expenditure to
them.NSSO data also highlights this fact as 88 per cent of LPG-deprived households in the survey cited it as a barrier
and also for the poor people who adopted LPG there is a low expenditure capacity in having access to LPG.There is
a gap between adoption and sustained use of the present scheme.
No bank accounts for most of rural households and the distance they have to travel even now despite schemes like
jan dhan yojana is a cause of concern as LPG coverage expands in rural areas, the Direct Benefits Transfer of LPG
(DBTL) subsidy programme could create additional barriers for economically weaker households.
Awareness and Administrative issues:

About 40 per cent of LPG-deprived households in rural areas cite a lack of information about the process of getting a
connection as a challenge.
For households in urban slums, the absence of residential proof or a lack of interest by urban dealers to serve them
also pose a barrier.
Governments scheme of selling 5 kg LPG cylinders at petrol pumps and kirana stores may help, as proof of address
is not required. However, its limited penetration and retail pricing still make it challenging for many poor
households.
Identification of beneficiaries can cause a problem too.
Suggestions (Extra Info):
Innovation solutions like
Creating awareness about the actual cost of fuel and its health benefits
tackling the issue of cash flow by introducing smaller LPG cylinders (2 to 5 kg) for poor and opening exclusive
dealerships for smaller cylinders with specific provisions to serve the urban areas could be a solution
leveraging mobile money for LPG payments.
Leveraging rural supply chains, only for the delivery of the regulated commodity
By doing the above India goes beyond subsidising connections and fuel costs and focusses on issues of cash flow,
awareness, availability and administration. Only such a comprehensive approach will help poor households have a
better life.

What do you understand by fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs? Recently, the union government banned
Corex, a cough syrup whose most important element is codeine, along with 300-odd fixed-dose combination
(FDC) drugs. Discuss the significance of this ban. (200 Words)
A fixed dose combination drug is a ,
medicines containing two or more active components (Active pharmaceutical ingredients) in fixed
proportions in a single dosage form
several medications in fixed combination to be taken together, presented in composite packaging (co-pack)
It facilitating the general advantages of combination therapy
Improved medication compliance by reducing the pill burden of patients. It solves the problem of keeping
track of several medications, understanding their various instructions, etc.
Evergreening issues It is used to evergreen the off patent drugs FDC drug products may be developed by
pharma company in effect extend proprietary rights and marketability of a drug product. Since FDCs may be
protected by patents, a company may obtain exclusive rights to sell a particular FDC or formulation thereof,
even though the individual active ingredients and many therapeutic uses thereof may be off-patent.
Significance,
Side effects dizziness, nausea, hallucinations. It is also addictive
FDC drugs are the highest self medication drugs in India. Consumed without prescriptions (especially cough
syrups) Not safe for patients
FDC drugs especially Cough syrups with Codeine are suppressants rather than Curative. Hence, it distorts
the perception of patients (that is the better medicine).
With FDC drugs, side effects cannot be traced out to a single API. Hence, it may lead to lot of adverse
effects on patients. It can leads to complications resulting from adverse interactions of the drugs
Antibiotic resistance can be reduced Since, multiple combinations of same therapeutic value are clubbed
together, it provide chance for microbes to develop resistance Ban may bring some relief in this
respect
Elimination of irrational drug combinations and control the irrational prescriptions
Encourages the use of home remedies having same result without side effects like use of Honey, pepper,
turmeric to remedy against Cough and cold
On the other hand,
Lack of time for retailers to prepare for the ban and to clear their stocks
Manufacturers opinion and their view points were not solicited before banning
FDC had general advantage of Combining therapy, we may sacrifice this due to ban wrt some drugs
Pill burden of patients may rise due to ban on > 300 FDC drugs
Reduced investment on R & D in FDC drugs by pharma companies, due to ban on OTC medicines like
cough syrups
5) In recent years, popularity of ayurveda products both pharmaceutical and food are on the rise
in India. Examine why. (200 Words)
Ayurveda,the Indian traditional medicinal system has a market size of 25000 crore and its trend has been on
the rise in the recent years in both pharma and food industries.
The reasons are:
Many of the top MNCs have been embroiled in legal battles concerning the ill effects or harmful chemicals
in their products. This has reduced trust of people on these MNCs and they are shifting towards
Ayurveda.Recent maggi contoversy puts this point in the forefront.
Although the formal sector in Ayurveda is only at 12%, it is increasing fast. Companies like Patanjali,
Himalaya are gaining a foothold in the market.
Indian people are becoming more apprehensive about chemical products and are placing their trust on
healthy ayurvedic products.
 The recent ban on Fixed drug compositions has made people suspicious about the quality and efficacy of
those drugs. Hence now they find only Ayurveda reliable since it doesnt contain any chemicals.
There are increased advertisements about Ayurveda products citing their efficiency , comparative advantage
and their swadeshi nature . This has contributed to their increased usage.
Yoga gurus and spiritual leaders who are popular among the people are promoting such products leading to
their increased usage.
government has been proactive in giving a push to ayurveda like a separate AYUSH ministry, national
institute of ayurvedic studies under AYUSH and research centres, jan aushadi centres for low cost drugs for
the poor.
Ayurveda is believed to have lesser side effects as natural ingredients used through traditional methods. Eg-
kottakkal arya vaidya sala.
Suggestions (Extra Points):
Like in China India also should go for the integrative medicine strategy where alternative and allopathic
medicines have been synergised,
With 88% of ayurvedic business still under unorganised sector Government should bring strategies on
making these profitable.
Doctors have to be made more aware about the benefits of the ayurveda so that they can combine both the
medicines and use the knowledge.
6) Write a note on the objectives and components of the India Newborn Action Plan (INAP). (200
Words)
The India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) is Indias committed response to the Global Every Newborn Action
Plan (ENAP), launched in June 2014, to advance the Global Strategy for Women s and Childrens Health.
India however aspires to achieve the global ENAP targets by 2030five years ahead of the global
deadlinewith all the states to individually achieve the targets by the end of 2035.
Objectives:
Ending Preventable Newborn Deaths to achieve Single Digit NMR by 2030, with all the states to
individually achieve this target by 2035
Ending Preventable Stillbirths to achieve Single Digit Still birth Rate by 2030, with all the states to
individually achieve this target by 2035
Components:
It prescribes 6 intervention packages for various stages.
Preconception and antenatal care, Care during labour and childbirth, Care for immediate newborn, Care of
for healthy newborn, Care of small and sick new born and Care beyond newborn survival.
It also prescribes 4 new kinds of priority vaccination- influenza vaccine, cholera vaccine, Human
papillamovirus vaccine( HPV) and Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
A monitoring and evaluation framework to keep tabs on the mother child till the age of 2 years and to
provide reliable information on common causes of death has been ushered.
Web based Health Information Management System (HIMS) to provide data on services, facilities, etc.
A comprehensive assessment of the plan will be done starting from 2020 after a gap of 5 years to ensure that
the states are coordinating with the center for achieving the targets.
serving as a framework for the States facilitate the States to formulate their own need-based action plans
Suggestions:
1 . special focus is needed in tribal areas sanitation , mosquito nets , community participation.
2. Need to integrate with PNPCDT Act to prevent female infanticide
3 .Record of child health under Integrated Child Health Record National Health Database track
immunisation / health status.
INAP along with the Universal immunisation programme, Indradhanush will go a long way in reducing IMR
and MMR to ensure improvement of HDI and realising the SDG targets.
India and its neighbourhood- relations.
 3) Pakistan pursuing its bilateral goals vis--vis India has become an obstacle in the path of greater
connectivity and interdependence, preventing Saarc from attaining its full potential. Critically
comment. (200 Words)

India and Pakistan rivalry is adversely affecting the SAARC negotiations. Every move by India to
strengthen and to forge stronger bond between SAARC countries through trade, communication,
transport are obstructed by Pakistan due to fear of Indias hegemony in the region and
undermining of its very existence.
Pakistans strategic interests in Afghanistan and its resentment to engagement of Afghanistan
with India is undermining every effort of India to interconnect the SAARC region in general and
Afghanistan in particular. Its obstructing trade and transit route to Afghanistan for India on which
it has poured billions of dollars, thereby hindering Afghanistans growth and development.
Indias SAARC satellite initiative to support Education, communication, Health, Media and
Entertainment across all SAARC countries, immensely increases Indias soft power in the region
Which is not desired by Pakistan, due to the fear of losing its and its ally Chinas edge in their
interest, influence and initiatives in South Asia.
Recent move by Pakistan to scuttle the Motor vehicle agreement is also due to same reason.
(Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India signed a motor vehicle agreement for seamless movement of
people and cargo among the neighbors)
Pakistan is also pushing for Chinas full time membership in the forum to counter Indias
influence in the region This move is against the interest of all the players in the region, especially
to Indias geo-political interests. Inviting outside power into the backyard of South Asia nullifies
the objectives of regional forum and it may turn the forum into platform for Indo China rivalry.
SAFTA has also not achieved much success due to mutual suspicion between the countries in
general and non cooperation of Pakistan in particular.
Pakistan is overwhelmed by the promise of assistance by China to promote $ 46 billion Pakistan
China economic corridor and may be one of the reasons for lack of interest in promotion of
SAARC initiatives for regional development. But, it must also realize that without prosperous
neighborhood it cannot aspire for overall development.