Q1. Discuss the relevance of India’s efforts to affect the strategic and military dynamics of the Indian Ocean region while taking into account the issues the region faces and the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean islands. (250 words)
Paper & Topic: GS II – International Relations
Introduction:
- In order to establish geo-strategies and engage in international relations, regional nations, most notably China and India, have moved their focus to an ocean-based strategy as the balance of power in the world has shifted from the West to the East.
- For both the Indian subcontinent and the more generalised world order, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is becoming more strategically significant. For India’s national interests to be protected, the IOR must be secure.
Body:
The following are the main causes of the rising importance of Indian Ocean islands:
- They are essential for establishing a naval presence in the area because to their location and accessibility to SLOCs, which allows both peacetime and combat patrolling in the area.
- The presence of these big countries legitimises their role as a security provider in addition to giving them additional sway in the Indian Ocean region through trade, naval bases, and financial support for the development of the smaller island governments’ infrastructure.
- The key geographies of islands in the Indian Ocean have the potential to have an impact on geopolitical competition due to their closeness to important transit routes that provide them access to and control over significant chokepoints and waterways.
- Due to their location at the meeting point of Europe, Africa, and South Asia, the islands of Socotra (Yemen), Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, further west of India, have grown in strategic importance.
- Madagascar, Mauritius, the Maldives, and the Seychelles all have maritime zones that are larger than a million square kilometres, providing them more access to the ocean than Socotra, which is strategically situated at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden, which links the Suez Canal with the Indian Ocean.
Challenges:
- India is in a challenging position as a result of China’s fast expanding presence in the northern Indian Ocean and the stationing of Chinese submarines and ships there.
- The repercussions of climate change, such as an increase in natural disasters and the loss of traditional livelihoods, are among the non-traditional risks. Terrorism, piracy, illegal smuggling, the military presence of hostile states, and the ensuing geopolitical competition are examples of traditional threats.
- Therefore, it is essential for preserving regional peace to preserve tight links between tiny island nations and the bigger coastal ones.
India has taken important measures:
- In order to expand its marine engagement, India has increased its cooperation with maritime neighbours and Indian Ocean littoral states.
- In accordance with the “Neighborhood First” policy, the Navy coordinates patrols (CORPAT) with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia. It also works together on EEZ surveillance with the Maldives, Seychelles, and Mauritius.
- Operations for search and rescue as well as initiatives for capability development have become important sectors.
- Both ships flying the Indian flag and ships from other nations have been given security.
- India’s objectives for creating a secure regional architecture are outlined in New Delhi’s Indian Ocean policy, “SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region.” “Safeguarding mainland and islands, enhancing maritime neighbour capacities, and advancing peace and security” are among the objectives of India’s strategy for the Indian Ocean region.
- The island states of the Indian Ocean are crucial in defining the geopolitical boundaries of the area and maintaining marine safety and order for a country like India.
- The growth of the nation’s maritime capabilities has been significantly aided by India’s Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
- This allows India to keep an eye on military and commercial activity in and around the Strait of Malacca while ignoring the Indian Ocean entry points utilised by nations in the western Pacific.
- In order to ensure maritime security, the Indian Navy has helped the Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius islands chart ocean waters. India has also assumed leadership of the 21-member Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which works to promote security, governance, the blue economy, and cultural tourism, as well as the 35-member Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), which aims to strengthen maritime security through naval cooperation.
- Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar are among the nations represented in these international fora, highlighting India’s attempts to advance security and development by engaging all parties regardless of their degree of military and economic might.
Conclusion:
- India has developed a strategy for becoming a “influential” and “responsible” leader in the Indian Ocean region, in keeping with Alfred Mahan’s assertion that “whoever attains control of the Indian Ocean, will dominate Asia.”
Q2. Bangladesh and India are unquestionably reliant on one another for stability and security. Consider how crucial it is to strengthen ties between the two nations and talk about the problems that need to be fixed. (250 words)
Paper & Topic: GS II – International Relations
Introduction:
- Relationships between India and Bangladesh are essential for the stability and security of each nation.
- Security in the North East: An ally like Bangladesh can make sure that no anti-Indian actions are taking place on its soil. Numerous significant leaders of NE insurgent groups, including the United Liberation Front of Assam and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, were captured as a result of the Bangladeshi operation.
- Connectivity of the North Eastern States: The region’s states are landlocked and must go through Bangladesh for a quicker journey to the sea. The transit agreement with Bangladesh will support the socioeconomic integration and growth of North-East India.
- Bangladesh is a crucial component of Act East strategy and a gateway to Southeast Asia. On the political and economic fronts, it can serve as a “bridge” tying South East Asia to other areas. Bangladesh contributes significantly to the BIMSTEC and BBIN programmes.
- Increasing the power of South Asia as a regional force: Bangladesh is crucial to the growth of SAARC, the promotion of collaboration for economic development among its members, and the defence of strategic interests.
- Bangladesh is advantageously positioned close to vital sea lanes for the security of communication sea lines. It might have a major impact on attempts to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean.
- Fighting terrorism and deradicalization: India benefits from Bangladesh’s peace, tolerance, and openness in deterring the emergence of extremists there as well as in collaboration with deradicalization efforts, intelligence sharing, and other counterterrorism initiatives.
- A neutral Bangladesh would ensure the containment of an assertive China in this region and aid in undermining China’s “string of pearls” policy. China would be balanced as a result.
Body:
Bangladesh and India have direct bilateral relations:
- India’s top commercial partner in South Asia is Bangladesh. Trade between Bangladesh and India is facilitated through a commercial agreement. Both take part in accords such as the South Asian Free Trade Area Agreement (SAFTA), the SAARC Preferential Trade Agreement, and the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement that regulate trade tariff regimes (APTA).
- India is aiding Bangladesh in maximising the potential of waterways for its inter- and intra-border connectivity through the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT).
- Russia and India are both involved in the Bangladeshi Rooppur Atomic Energy Project. In accordance with the contract, India will supply Bangladeshi construction site with non-critical materials, personnel training, advisory support, and involvement in the building and erection activity.
- There are currently 660 MW worth of daily power exports from India to Bangladesh.
- Defense: As part of the framework agreement for defence cooperation, India is transferring military technologies and providing equipment to improve collaboration in the field of strategic and operational research.
- Technology and space: The South Asian Satellite (SAARC Satellite) has been launched to improve regional ties in fields including inter-governmental networks for telemedicine, tele-education, and disaster management.
The bilateral ties between the two nations urgently need to be strengthened:
- There are 54 rivers that cross international borders to link Bangladesh and India. The Teesta River water sharing issue, the Tipaimukh Hydro-Electric Power Project on the Barak River, the Ganga River dispute, etc. are a few of the most important disputes. This needs to be resolved right away.
- The openness of the border between India and Bangladesh makes it easy to smuggle in goods including animals, drugs, people, and guns. The secret to prevention is cross-border cooperation.
- India must complete its project more swiftly in order to lessen Bangladesh’s reliance on China.
- Both countries must deal with the problem of illegal migration to prevent strained ties, and India must reassure Bangladesh about its CAA and NRC.
Conclusion:
- Now more than ever, a tighter partnership with Bangladesh is required due to the shifting geoeconomic environment. Bangladesh is a crucial partner in the region thanks to its rising economic success and 8% growth rate. Given that the Prime Minister has referred to the two countries’ current level of relations as “Sonali Adhyay,” there is potential for India-Bangladesh relations to advance through collaboration, coordination, and consolidation.
