📝Geo-Strategic Competition between India and China
🔸The relation between India and China are shaped and influenced by perceived and real competition that can turn into conflict and needs to be managed.
🔸The rise of China and India coincide, historically rise of powers has resulted in conflict.South Asia, South-East Asia, Indo-Pacific and Africa are certain regions wher this pattern can be seen.
🔸Recent decades have seen the emergence of ideas, such as the String of Pearls, a term coined by US based academics, which refers to the network of Chinese military and commercial facilities and relationships along its sea lines of communication. The sea linesrun through several major maritime choke points such as the Strait of Mandeb (connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden), the Strait of Malacca ( stretch of water between the peninsular Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra).
🔸The relation between India and China are shaped and influenced by perceived and real competition that can turn into conflict and needs to be managed.
🔸The rise of China and India coincide, historically rise of powers has resulted in conflict.South Asia, South-East Asia, Indo-Pacific and Africa are certain regions wher this pattern can be seen.
🔸Recent decades have seen the emergence of ideas, such as the String of Pearls, a term coined by US based academics, which refers to the network of Chinese military and commercial facilities and relationships along its sea lines of communication. The sea linesrun through several major maritime choke points such as the Strait of Mandeb (connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden), the Strait of Malacca ( stretch of water between the peninsular Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra).
📝 India’s Response Mechanism Against China
🔸 Malabar Exercise Since 1992: Multi lateral Naval exercise including Japan and the USA. Past non-permanent participants are Australia and Singapore.
🔸India-Japan-Australia trilateral
🔸India-Japan-Australia-US Quadrilateral, Quad Met at the Sidelines of the ASEAN summit at Manila in November 2017. It is perceived as a coming-together of likeminded Asia-Pacific democracies to balance China.
🔸 Metal Chain and Iron curtain: Naval analyst Zhang Ming recently proclaimed that the Islands of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago could be used as a ‘metal chain’ to block Chinese access to the Straits of Malacca. China has gone further to claim that India is building an ‘Iron Curtain’ in the Indian Ocean, which is debatable.
🔸String of flowers: since 2015, agreements have been signed by India to develop infrastructure on Agalega islands in Mauritius and Assumption Island of Seychelles.
🔸 Malabar Exercise Since 1992: Multi lateral Naval exercise including Japan and the USA. Past non-permanent participants are Australia and Singapore.
🔸India-Japan-Australia trilateral
🔸India-Japan-Australia-US Quadrilateral, Quad Met at the Sidelines of the ASEAN summit at Manila in November 2017. It is perceived as a coming-together of likeminded Asia-Pacific democracies to balance China.
🔸 Metal Chain and Iron curtain: Naval analyst Zhang Ming recently proclaimed that the Islands of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago could be used as a ‘metal chain’ to block Chinese access to the Straits of Malacca. China has gone further to claim that India is building an ‘Iron Curtain’ in the Indian Ocean, which is debatable.
🔸String of flowers: since 2015, agreements have been signed by India to develop infrastructure on Agalega islands in Mauritius and Assumption Island of Seychelles.
The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.
Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950:
The treaty talks about reciprocal treatment of Indian and Nepali citizens in the two countries, in residence, property, business and movement.
It also establishes national treatment for both Indian and Nepalese businesses (ie once imported, foreign goods would be treated no differently than domestic goods).
It also gives Nepal access to weaponry from India.
Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950:
The treaty talks about reciprocal treatment of Indian and Nepali citizens in the two countries, in residence, property, business and movement.
It also establishes national treatment for both Indian and Nepalese businesses (ie once imported, foreign goods would be treated no differently than domestic goods).
It also gives Nepal access to weaponry from India.
📝 The BCIM Corridor
🔸One of the key policy initiatives among national governments in Asia in recent years is directed towards developing sub-regional, regional and trans-regional corridors with the aim to further connect and integrate their economies.
🔸One such corridor is the proposed Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar-Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC) involving four nations and has generated much interests as well as concerns.
🔸 Conceived as a sub-regional economic cooperation, BCIM initiative was launched in 1999 in Kunming, the capital of Chinese Yunnan province.
🔸Two prominent objectives had driven the BCIM- one is economic integration of the sub-region that would also enable integration of Asia and the other is development of the border regions. The BCIM priority agenda has evolved over time. From the 3-T’s of Trade,Transport, and Tourism, the BCIM priority agenda has moved to TTE (Trade, Transport, and Energy).
🔸One of the key policy initiatives among national governments in Asia in recent years is directed towards developing sub-regional, regional and trans-regional corridors with the aim to further connect and integrate their economies.
🔸One such corridor is the proposed Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar-Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC) involving four nations and has generated much interests as well as concerns.
🔸 Conceived as a sub-regional economic cooperation, BCIM initiative was launched in 1999 in Kunming, the capital of Chinese Yunnan province.
🔸Two prominent objectives had driven the BCIM- one is economic integration of the sub-region that would also enable integration of Asia and the other is development of the border regions. The BCIM priority agenda has evolved over time. From the 3-T’s of Trade,Transport, and Tourism, the BCIM priority agenda has moved to TTE (Trade, Transport, and Energy).
📝 ABOUT NATO
(North Atlantic Treaty Organization/ North Atlantic Alliance)
*Founded - 4 April 1949
* Headquarters - Brussels, Belgium
* NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance between 28 European countries and 2 North American countries.
* NATO has no parliaments, no laws, no enforcement, and no power to punish individual citizens.
* The most recent member state to be added to NATO - North Macedonia 🇲🇰 (27 March 2020)
* NATO's purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.
MEMBERS 30 COUNTRIES
United States🇺🇸
United Kingdom🇬🇧
Spain🇪🇸,Turkey🇹🇷,Albania🇦🇱
Belgium🇧🇪,Bulgaria🇧🇬
Canada🇨🇦,Croatia🇭🇷
Czech Republic🇨🇿,Denmark🇩🇰,Estonia🇪🇪,France🇫🇷
Germany🇩🇪,Greece,Hungary🇭🇺, Iceland🇮🇸,Italy🇮🇹,Latvia🇱🇻, Lithuania🇱🇹,Luxembour🇱🇺,Montenegro,Netherlands🇳🇱,North Macedonia,Norway🇳🇴,Poland🇵🇱,Portugal, Romania, Slovakia🇸🇰,Slovenia🇸🇮
(North Atlantic Treaty Organization/ North Atlantic Alliance)
*Founded - 4 April 1949
* Headquarters - Brussels, Belgium
* NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance between 28 European countries and 2 North American countries.
* NATO has no parliaments, no laws, no enforcement, and no power to punish individual citizens.
* The most recent member state to be added to NATO - North Macedonia 🇲🇰 (27 March 2020)
* NATO's purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.
MEMBERS 30 COUNTRIES
United States🇺🇸
United Kingdom🇬🇧
Spain🇪🇸,Turkey🇹🇷,Albania🇦🇱
Belgium🇧🇪,Bulgaria🇧🇬
Canada🇨🇦,Croatia🇭🇷
Czech Republic🇨🇿,Denmark🇩🇰,Estonia🇪🇪,France🇫🇷
Germany🇩🇪,Greece,Hungary🇭🇺, Iceland🇮🇸,Italy🇮🇹,Latvia🇱🇻, Lithuania🇱🇹,Luxembour🇱🇺,Montenegro,Netherlands🇳🇱,North Macedonia,Norway🇳🇴,Poland🇵🇱,Portugal, Romania, Slovakia🇸🇰,Slovenia🇸🇮
📝 OBOR/BRI
One Belt One Road
🔸6 September 2013, Astana, Xi Jinping’s Speech-Land based silk road economic belt
🔸 In October 2013, his soeech at the Indonesian parliament spelled out the idea of Maritime silkroute.
🔸These two ideas combined to form the ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) also know as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
🔸 Considered as the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ambitious project, the One Belt One Road initiative focuses on:
🔸On improving connectivity and cooperation among Asian countries, Africa, China and Europe.
🔸The emphasis is on enhancing land as well as maritime routes. The policy is significant for China since it aims to boost domestic growth in the country.
🔸 It will impact 4.4 billion people.
🔸China is said to be spending $1 trillion on it.
🔸 It is not one project but six major routes which will include several railways line, roads, ports and other infrastructure.
One Belt One Road
🔸6 September 2013, Astana, Xi Jinping’s Speech-Land based silk road economic belt
🔸 In October 2013, his soeech at the Indonesian parliament spelled out the idea of Maritime silkroute.
🔸These two ideas combined to form the ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) also know as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
🔸 Considered as the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ambitious project, the One Belt One Road initiative focuses on:
🔸On improving connectivity and cooperation among Asian countries, Africa, China and Europe.
🔸The emphasis is on enhancing land as well as maritime routes. The policy is significant for China since it aims to boost domestic growth in the country.
🔸 It will impact 4.4 billion people.
🔸China is said to be spending $1 trillion on it.
🔸 It is not one project but six major routes which will include several railways line, roads, ports and other infrastructure.
📝Early Assessment of OBOR/BRI
🔸China’s strategy: China's strategy to grab land and assets in smaller, less-developed countries is simple: it gives them loans on high rates for infrastructural projects, gets equity into projects, and when the country is unable to repay the loan, it gets ownership of the project. Thus, it is also seen as a unilateral and exploitative project that involves strategic footholds in important locations around the world .
🔸 China’s image: Many expect this scenario to unfold in dozens of small countries in Asia and Africa if OBOR project becomes a reality. Touted as a global partnership by China, many including the United States, believe that OBOR is actually an exploitative, colonial stratagem to gain vital vital assets in small countries.
🔸The investment: the investment estimates for project of such a magnitude are touted to be in excess of US$ 5 trillion, whereas current Chinese commitment stands at estimated US$ 1 trillion.
🔸China’s strategy: China's strategy to grab land and assets in smaller, less-developed countries is simple: it gives them loans on high rates for infrastructural projects, gets equity into projects, and when the country is unable to repay the loan, it gets ownership of the project. Thus, it is also seen as a unilateral and exploitative project that involves strategic footholds in important locations around the world .
🔸 China’s image: Many expect this scenario to unfold in dozens of small countries in Asia and Africa if OBOR project becomes a reality. Touted as a global partnership by China, many including the United States, believe that OBOR is actually an exploitative, colonial stratagem to gain vital vital assets in small countries.
🔸The investment: the investment estimates for project of such a magnitude are touted to be in excess of US$ 5 trillion, whereas current Chinese commitment stands at estimated US$ 1 trillion.
📝 India and the OBOR
🔸India is the only South-Asian country, apart from Bhutan, not to be involved in the Asian superpower’s ambitious project.
🔸The main reason behind India’s opposition towards the policy is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a part of OBOR.
🔸 Accordin to the MEA India is all for promoting connectivity, however the problem with the OBOR, is that since the so-called CPEC forms a part of OBOR, and it passes through Indian territory.
🔸Citing sovereignty issues, India has raised objections over CPEC projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).Recognizing the significance of connectivity and infrastructure India is putting forward alternatives such as the INSTC, Cahabahar corridor and the Asia-Africa growth corridor .
🔸India is the only South-Asian country, apart from Bhutan, not to be involved in the Asian superpower’s ambitious project.
🔸The main reason behind India’s opposition towards the policy is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a part of OBOR.
🔸 Accordin to the MEA India is all for promoting connectivity, however the problem with the OBOR, is that since the so-called CPEC forms a part of OBOR, and it passes through Indian territory.
🔸Citing sovereignty issues, India has raised objections over CPEC projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).Recognizing the significance of connectivity and infrastructure India is putting forward alternatives such as the INSTC, Cahabahar corridor and the Asia-Africa growth corridor .
📝 The Russia Factor in OBOR
🔸Russia and China had frosty relations for much of the Soviet era (Sino Soviet rift of the 1960s). The two countries faced off in 1969 border skirmishes. This led China to open up to the USA in 1971.
🔸However, in the recent years there has been a greater convergence between the two countries on the issues of western interventionism, SCO, Syria, Crimea and South China
Sea. In 2014 the two sides inked a 30-year, $400bn (£237bn) deal for Gazprom to deliver Russian gas to China in a deal that underscores Russia's shift towards Asia amid strained relations with the west.
🔸Thus, there seems to be a short term convergence, however this sits on deep seated geographical realities that can change the scenario.
🔸The RIC forum is a key to this triangular interaction for India.
🔸Russia and China had frosty relations for much of the Soviet era (Sino Soviet rift of the 1960s). The two countries faced off in 1969 border skirmishes. This led China to open up to the USA in 1971.
🔸However, in the recent years there has been a greater convergence between the two countries on the issues of western interventionism, SCO, Syria, Crimea and South China
Sea. In 2014 the two sides inked a 30-year, $400bn (£237bn) deal for Gazprom to deliver Russian gas to China in a deal that underscores Russia's shift towards Asia amid strained relations with the west.
🔸Thus, there seems to be a short term convergence, however this sits on deep seated geographical realities that can change the scenario.
🔸The RIC forum is a key to this triangular interaction for India.
📝 The Pakistan Factor in OBOR
🔸With its strategic position, Pakistan offers China an opportunity to expand its influence against India in South Asia.
🔸 Beijing has been showering Islamabad with military and economic aid, such as the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which concerns India as it traverses through PoK.
🔸Pakistan’s support to China over the South China Sea issue and its willingness to provide China a foothold in the Indian Ocean throught the Gwadar port also add to the concerns of India.
🔸The indication of rising tensions can be found in the recently released (December 2017) Nations Security Strategy document of the USA as well as tariff escalation in 2018.
🔸 In policy terms it is reflected in the Pivot to Asia of the Obama administration and the Indo-Pacific formulations of the Trump administration.
🔸With its strategic position, Pakistan offers China an opportunity to expand its influence against India in South Asia.
🔸 Beijing has been showering Islamabad with military and economic aid, such as the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which concerns India as it traverses through PoK.
🔸Pakistan’s support to China over the South China Sea issue and its willingness to provide China a foothold in the Indian Ocean throught the Gwadar port also add to the concerns of India.
🔸The indication of rising tensions can be found in the recently released (December 2017) Nations Security Strategy document of the USA as well as tariff escalation in 2018.
🔸 In policy terms it is reflected in the Pivot to Asia of the Obama administration and the Indo-Pacific formulations of the Trump administration.
The 20th edition of the Indian and French Navy bilateral exercise ‘VARUNA-2022’ is being conducted in the Arabian Sea.
• The Indian and French Navies have been conducting bilateral maritime exercises since 1993. Since 2001, these exercises have been called ‘VARUNA’.
• This is an annual event.
• These interactions further underscore the shared values as partner navies, in ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order.
Other Indo-French Joint Exercises:
• Desert Knight-21 and Garuda (Air exercise)
• Shakti (Army exercise)
• The Indian and French Navies have been conducting bilateral maritime exercises since 1993. Since 2001, these exercises have been called ‘VARUNA’.
• This is an annual event.
• These interactions further underscore the shared values as partner navies, in ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order.
Other Indo-French Joint Exercises:
• Desert Knight-21 and Garuda (Air exercise)
• Shakti (Army exercise)
📝 India and South East Asia
🔸Myanmar: The Gateway to South East AsiaIndia-Myanmar Relations
🔸 India shares a long land border of over 1600 Km with Myanmar (previously known as Burma) as well as a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. Four north-eastern states
(Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram) share boundary with Myanmar.
🔸India and Myanmar share close cultural ties and a sense of deep kinship given India's Buddhist heritage.
🔸 Over a period of 62 years (1824-1886), Britain conquered Burma and incorporated the country into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937
🔸 There are varying estimates of 1.5-2.5 million people of Indian origin living and working in various parts of Myanmar
🔸Myanmar is the only ASEAN country adjoining India and,therefore, India’s gateway to South East Asia with which we are seeking greater economic integration through India's 'Look East' and now 'Act East' Policy.
🔸Myanmar: The Gateway to South East AsiaIndia-Myanmar Relations
🔸 India shares a long land border of over 1600 Km with Myanmar (previously known as Burma) as well as a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. Four north-eastern states
(Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram) share boundary with Myanmar.
🔸India and Myanmar share close cultural ties and a sense of deep kinship given India's Buddhist heritage.
🔸 Over a period of 62 years (1824-1886), Britain conquered Burma and incorporated the country into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937
🔸 There are varying estimates of 1.5-2.5 million people of Indian origin living and working in various parts of Myanmar
🔸Myanmar is the only ASEAN country adjoining India and,therefore, India’s gateway to South East Asia with which we are seeking greater economic integration through India's 'Look East' and now 'Act East' Policy.
📝Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project
🔸The project includes a waterways component of 158 km on Kaladan river from Sittwe to Paletwa in Myanmar and a road component of 109 km from Paletwa to Zorinpui on the India-Myanmar border . The waterways component comprises Sittwe Port,Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminals, backup facilities and navigational channel.
🔸Mooted in 2003, India entered a framework agreement with Myanmar for Kaladan project in 2008. Construction began in 2010 with a deadline in June 2015. However, the project faced delays especially on the road project.
🔸The project is being implemented with GoI’s grant assistance under the head of ‘Aid to Myanmar
🔸By Early 2017, Under waterways component, Port and Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal at Sittwe and related infrastructure/back up facilities; IWT/trans-shipment terminal and related facilities at Paletwa; navigational channel along Kaladan river from Sittwe to Paletwa and six self-propelled IWT vessels have been completed.
🔸The project includes a waterways component of 158 km on Kaladan river from Sittwe to Paletwa in Myanmar and a road component of 109 km from Paletwa to Zorinpui on the India-Myanmar border . The waterways component comprises Sittwe Port,Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminals, backup facilities and navigational channel.
🔸Mooted in 2003, India entered a framework agreement with Myanmar for Kaladan project in 2008. Construction began in 2010 with a deadline in June 2015. However, the project faced delays especially on the road project.
🔸The project is being implemented with GoI’s grant assistance under the head of ‘Aid to Myanmar
🔸By Early 2017, Under waterways component, Port and Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal at Sittwe and related infrastructure/back up facilities; IWT/trans-shipment terminal and related facilities at Paletwa; navigational channel along Kaladan river from Sittwe to Paletwa and six self-propelled IWT vessels have been completed.
📝 Security status between India and Myanmar
🔸The Indian Armed Forces have traditionally had friendly relations with their Myanmar counterparts.
🔸Both countries face problems of armed separatist groups using each other’s soil.
🔸The KIA, an insurgent group in Myanmar, has backed India’s north-eastern separatist groups such as ULFA and the NSCN (Khaplang), in consultation with government officials in China’s neighbouring Yunnan province.
🔸The Indian Armed Forces have traditionally had friendly relations with their Myanmar counterparts.
🔸Both countries face problems of armed separatist groups using each other’s soil.
🔸The KIA, an insurgent group in Myanmar, has backed India’s north-eastern separatist groups such as ULFA and the NSCN (Khaplang), in consultation with government officials in China’s neighbouring Yunnan province.
📝 Bilateral Cooperation in Regional/Sub-Regional Context
🔸Myanmar's membership of ASEAN, BIMSTEC and Mekong Ganga Cooperation has introduced a regional/sub-regional dimension to bilateral relations and imparted added significance in the context of our "Act East" policy.
🔸Myanmar has generally been supportive of India's stand to various international organisations.
🔸India supported the inclusion of Myanmar as an observer in SAARC in 2008
🔸Myanmar's membership of ASEAN, BIMSTEC and Mekong Ganga Cooperation has introduced a regional/sub-regional dimension to bilateral relations and imparted added significance in the context of our "Act East" policy.
🔸Myanmar has generally been supportive of India's stand to various international organisations.
🔸India supported the inclusion of Myanmar as an observer in SAARC in 2008
📝Chinese Involvement in Myanmar
🔸 Large Chinese infrastructure and mining projects in Myanmar have come up since the early 1990s, with scant regard for environmental degradation and displacement.
🔸China has increased its economic profile in the country in recent times pushing for a special economic zone at Kyauk Phyu among other projects. The special economic zone, expected to cover more than 4,200 acres (17 sq. km), includes the $7.3 billion deep sea port and a $2.3 billion industrial park, with plans to attract industries such as textiles and oil refining, a Reuters report said.
🔸It also used short-sighted western aid policies to acquire considerable leverage within Myanmar.
🔸 China now has an ability to significantly influence Myanmar insurgent groups such as the
United WA State Army (UWSA) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA).
🔸 Its navy recently held joint exercises along Myanmar’s shores.
🔸 Large Chinese infrastructure and mining projects in Myanmar have come up since the early 1990s, with scant regard for environmental degradation and displacement.
🔸China has increased its economic profile in the country in recent times pushing for a special economic zone at Kyauk Phyu among other projects. The special economic zone, expected to cover more than 4,200 acres (17 sq. km), includes the $7.3 billion deep sea port and a $2.3 billion industrial park, with plans to attract industries such as textiles and oil refining, a Reuters report said.
🔸It also used short-sighted western aid policies to acquire considerable leverage within Myanmar.
🔸 China now has an ability to significantly influence Myanmar insurgent groups such as the
United WA State Army (UWSA) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA).
🔸 Its navy recently held joint exercises along Myanmar’s shores.
India and Australia Trade
The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership initiated during the India-Australia Leaders’ Virtual Summit.
Growing India-Australia economic and commercial relations contribute to the stability and strength of a rapidly diversifying and deepening bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Australia is the 17th largest trading partner of India and India is Australia’s 9th largest trading partner.
India-Australia bilateral trade for both merchandise and services is valued at US$ 27.5 billion in 2021.
India’s merchandise exports to Australia grew 135% between 2019 and 2021.
India’s exports consist primarily of a broad-based basket largely of finished products and were US$ 6.9 billion in 2021.
India’s merchandise imports from Australia were US$ 15.1 billion in 2021, consisting largely of raw materials, minerals and intermediate goods.
The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership initiated during the India-Australia Leaders’ Virtual Summit.
Growing India-Australia economic and commercial relations contribute to the stability and strength of a rapidly diversifying and deepening bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Australia is the 17th largest trading partner of India and India is Australia’s 9th largest trading partner.
India-Australia bilateral trade for both merchandise and services is valued at US$ 27.5 billion in 2021.
India’s merchandise exports to Australia grew 135% between 2019 and 2021.
India’s exports consist primarily of a broad-based basket largely of finished products and were US$ 6.9 billion in 2021.
India’s merchandise imports from Australia were US$ 15.1 billion in 2021, consisting largely of raw materials, minerals and intermediate goods.
📝 Significance of Myanmar
🔸 Myanmar is seen as a crucial partner in the fight to end insurgency in India’s north-east,
🔸 as a gateway to South-East Asia and
🔸a key component of new vision for South and South-East Asian regional cooperation and India’s Act East Policy.
🔸 It has significant hydrocarbon resources
🔸 It is also a neighbor that is increasingly being wooed by China.
🔸 Myanmar is seen as a crucial partner in the fight to end insurgency in India’s north-east,
🔸 as a gateway to South-East Asia and
🔸a key component of new vision for South and South-East Asian regional cooperation and India’s Act East Policy.
🔸 It has significant hydrocarbon resources
🔸 It is also a neighbor that is increasingly being wooed by China.
📝 BIMSTEC
Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
🔸 India’s strategy is to bridge south and South-East Asia. In this context groupings such as the BIMSTEC and Mekong Ganaga Cooperation are significant.
🔸The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) formed in 1997.
🔸 It comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, and brings together 1.5 billion people or 21% of the world population and a combined gross
domestic product (GDP) of over $2.5 trillion.
🔸 For India, making BIMSTEC work is important as for years it had blamed Pakistan for holding
back the SAARC.
🔸India’s leadership in activating the BIMSTEC was evident in the BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach hosted in Goa in 2016.
Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
🔸 India’s strategy is to bridge south and South-East Asia. In this context groupings such as the BIMSTEC and Mekong Ganaga Cooperation are significant.
🔸The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) formed in 1997.
🔸 It comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, and brings together 1.5 billion people or 21% of the world population and a combined gross
domestic product (GDP) of over $2.5 trillion.
🔸 For India, making BIMSTEC work is important as for years it had blamed Pakistan for holding
back the SAARC.
🔸India’s leadership in activating the BIMSTEC was evident in the BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach hosted in Goa in 2016.
📝 Mekong-Ganga Cooperation
🔸 The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is an initiative by six countries – India and five ASEAN countries, namely, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam for cooperation in tourism, culture, education, as well as transport and communications.
🔸It was launched in 2000 at Vientiane, Lao PDR. Both the Ganga and the Mekong are civilizational rivers, and the MGC initiative aims to facilitate closer contacts among the
people inhabiting these two major river basins. The MGC is also indicative of the cultural and commercial linkages among the member countries of the MGC down the centuries.
🔸Indian drafted a Plan of Action (POA) 2016-18 which was endorsed to become the core guideline for future action. On the future direction of MGC, it was recommended that POA 2016-18 may be continued.
🔸 The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is an initiative by six countries – India and five ASEAN countries, namely, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam for cooperation in tourism, culture, education, as well as transport and communications.
🔸It was launched in 2000 at Vientiane, Lao PDR. Both the Ganga and the Mekong are civilizational rivers, and the MGC initiative aims to facilitate closer contacts among the
people inhabiting these two major river basins. The MGC is also indicative of the cultural and commercial linkages among the member countries of the MGC down the centuries.
🔸Indian drafted a Plan of Action (POA) 2016-18 which was endorsed to become the core guideline for future action. On the future direction of MGC, it was recommended that POA 2016-18 may be continued.
📝 Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Part 2
🔸 In 1976, the members signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, emphasizing ASEAN’s promotion of peace, friendship, and cooperation to build solidarity.
🔸 The members signed a deal in 1995 to create a nuclear-free zone in Southeast Asia
🔸It has evolved into a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation among its members.
🔸10 States are part of the ASEAN (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia,Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Philipines). East Timor is an observer state.
🔸 It’s secretariat is based in Jakarta.
🔸 ASEAN is chaired by an annually rotating presidency. Decisions are reached through consultation and consensus guided by the principles of noninterference in internal affairs and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
🔸 In 2007, the ten members adopted the ASEAN Charter
🔸 In 1976, the members signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, emphasizing ASEAN’s promotion of peace, friendship, and cooperation to build solidarity.
🔸 The members signed a deal in 1995 to create a nuclear-free zone in Southeast Asia
🔸It has evolved into a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation among its members.
🔸10 States are part of the ASEAN (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia,Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Philipines). East Timor is an observer state.
🔸 It’s secretariat is based in Jakarta.
🔸 ASEAN is chaired by an annually rotating presidency. Decisions are reached through consultation and consensus guided by the principles of noninterference in internal affairs and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
🔸 In 2007, the ten members adopted the ASEAN Charter