MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS
Q1. Examine India-Japan relations critically as the alliance that defines the twenty-first century.
GS II – International relations
Introduction:
- India and Japan have a long-standing friendship that is based on their shared spirituality as well as their close cultural and civilizational links. In 1952, diplomatic ties were established between Japan and India. In 2022, Japan and India celebrated their 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties.
- Japan is thought to be an important ally in India’s economic reform. India is becoming more and more attractive to Japan for a number of reasons, including its resources, particularly its human resources, and its sizable and expanding market.
China-India relations as a defining alliance:
Similar values:
- Among the shared principles of the two countries are democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.
Collaboration between defence and security:
- Vision 2025 of India and Japan is to collaborate for global peace and development, encompassing the Indo-Pacific region.
- In 2014, the partnership was upgraded to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
- “2+2” A conversation started between the two.
- Japan has struck an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement with India.
- A rule-based, inclusive international order in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Malabar, JIMEX (Navy), MILAN, Veer Guardian (Air Force), and Dharma Guardian (Army) are the military exercises in question.
Enhancing India’s Act East Strategy:
- Japan encourages the strategic connectivity that connects Southeast Asia and South Asia by combining the “Act East” policy with the “Partnership for Quality Infrastructure.”
Collaboration in the Economy:
- Over US $20 billion is traded bilaterally (2022)
- Since 2011, the Comprehensive and Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA
- In FY2020, Japan ranked as the fourth-largest investor in India.
Traditions:
- Buddhism is a vital strand that unites the two countries.
Investment and Out-of-Document Data
- Over the past few decades, India has benefited the most from Japanese official development assistance (ODA) loans. For instance, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), the Delhi Metro, and India’s high-speed railways.
Worldwide Collaboration:
- Both belong to QUAD, the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor, the G4, and supply chain resilience programmes.
Nuclear Collaboration:
- India would be assisted in building the six nuclear reactors in southern India by the 2016 India-Japan Nuclear Deal.
Difficulties in the partnership:
- India and Japan’s trade relations have not reached their full potential.
- In terms of the top 25 nations to which India exports, Japan comes in at number 18. Japan is ranked 12th out of all the countries that import goods into India.
- In terms of value, India’s exports to Japan decreased in FY compared to FY before.
- India is finding it difficult to break into the Japanese market due to high standards for both quality and service and language obstacles.
- Purchase negotiations for US-2 amphibious aircraft had been drawn out for years.
Direction of Travel:
- At a time when the United States is thought to be pulling out of the region, the government has put India-Japan ties on an expedited geopolitical track that will play a significant role in its interactions with the rest of the globe, particularly China.
- Greater economic linkages are necessary for strategic partnerships.
- The two nations have made the decision to strengthen defence ties in light of the rising tension in the area following North Korea’s nuclear test and China’s increasing aggressiveness in the South China Sea.
- Strong ties between India and Japan will stop the inconsistencies in the area, promoting wealth and peace both locally and globally.
Q2. Examine the goals, provisions, and ramifications of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967.
GS III – Internal Security
Introduction:
- India’s anti-terror law, the Unlawful actions (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), seeks to stop terrorism and other illegal actions. It was implemented when the government saw the need to bolster internal security following the wars with China in 1962 and Pakistan in 1965.
The primary goals of the UAPA are:
- in order to successfully stop some illegal actions taken by people and groups, like extremism, communalism, and secessionism.
- In order to combat terrorist activity, different offences such as financing, plotting, recruiting, harbouring, or belonging to a terrorist group must be defined and punished.
- should forfeit any property meant to be used for terrorism as well as any proceeds from terrorism.
- to designate as illegal or terrorist any association or organisation that participates in or encourages terrorism.
The principal clauses of the UAPA are:
- By publishing a notice in the official gazette, the act gives the central government the authority to label any association as terrorist or illegal.
- A panel made up of a high court judge, either retired or currently serving, may consider such a notification.
- The Act lays down a number of penalties, including fines and jail terms ranging from six months to life for membership in or support of illegal or terrorist organisations.
- The UAPA also specifies a number of penalties, including a fine and a five-year prison sentence, for carrying out or aiding in terrorist acts.
- The UAPA gives the federal government the power to nominate a designated authority and an investigating officer to handle the investigation and punishment of crimes under the act.
- Act gives these police more authority, including the right to make an arrest without a warrant, conduct a warrantless search or seizure, intercept communications, and presume guilt.
- Any property derived from or used for terrorism is subject to forfeiture under the UAPA.
- Within a month, the possessor or owner may file an appeal with a higher court challenging the forfeiture order.
The UAPA’s primary effects are:
- Human rights violation: The UAPA has come under fire for allegedly violating human rights since it grants the administration broad authority and limits civil liberty.
- The UAPA is allegedly used against journalists, opposition parties, activists, minorities, and other targets of dissent.
- Unconstitutional and Arbitrary Action: The UAPA has also been criticised for lacking sufficient protections against abuse and misuse, making it unconstitutional and arbitrary.
- The assumption of innocence, proportionality, fair trial, and natural justice have all been alleged to be violated by the UAPA.
- Due to its failure to address the underlying causes of terrorism and illegal activity, the UAPA has also been criticised for being ineffectual and unproductive.
- There have been proposals to replace the UAPA with a comprehensive, all-encompassing statute that strikes a balance between human rights and national security.
Way Forward:
- There are advantages and disadvantages to the contentious UAPA statute. The Act threatens India’s democracy and diversity even if its main goal is to defend the country’s integrity and sovereignty from domestic threats. The UAPA must be applied carefully, responsibly, and reexamined on a regular basis to make sure it remains valid and relevant.