International Relations (GS Paper II) (India and Neighbours) by Viraj Rane Sir

Model Answer

Question #1. Interdependence between Nepal and India is the secret to reset the relations between the neighbours, which is important for India’s economic and strategic interests in the region. Discuss.

Approach:

• Introduce by providing a brief overview of the India-Nepal relationship. (30 Words)
• Enlist various areas of cooperation between India and Nepal (50 Words)
• Briefly Enumerate the recent problems that have developed between the countries (50 Words)
• List the need for a for a better relationship (40 Words)
• List the ways to increase interdependence between the two countries (50 Words)
• Conclusion (30 Words)

Hints:

India and Nepal share similar ties in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism with Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini located in present day Nepal. The two countries not only share an open border and unhindered movement of people, but they also have close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly known as Roti-Beti ka Rishta. The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.

Areas of interdependence between India and Nepal

• Trade and economy:
  • India is Nepal’s largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign investments, besides providing transit for almost the entire third country trade of Nepal.
• Connectivity:
  • Nepal being a landlocked country, it is surrounded by India from three sides and one side is open towards Tibet which has very limited vehicular access.
  • India-Nepal has undertaken various connectivity programs to enhance people-to-people linkages and promote economic growth and development.
• Development assistance:
  • GoI provides development assistance to Nepal, focusing on creation of infrastructure at the grass-root level.
• Cultural and people to people connect
  • There have been initiatives to promote people-to-people contacts in the area of art & culture, academics and media with different local bodies of Nepal.
• Multilateral cooperation
  • India and Nepal share multiple multilateral forums such as BBIN, BIMSTEC, NAM, and SAARC, etc.

Recent problems in Indo-Nepal relations:

1.   Madheshi issue:

• • Nepal government accused India of supporting Madhesi’s and stated India is interfering in the internal matters of Nepal.
  • Nepal raised the issue in a “trade blockade” at the UN in October 2015.
  • But Madesi’s protest was a spontaneous movement and it had nothing to do with India.

2.     Inroads of China:

• • The Nepal earthquake in 2015 was the perfect time for China to make massive investments in infrastructure like Tibet Railway, many highway projects, access to Chinese ports etc. By the end of 2016, China became the major assistance provider of Nepal
• Nepal also supports China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Nepal relations so far is stable to some extent.

3.     Border dispute:

• • Kalapani dispute: New map of Nepal was notified in June 2020 with Kalapani area in Nepal, which has been historically a part of India
  • Susta Dispute: Susta is another disputed territory located in the Terai regions of India.

4.     Issue related to open border:

• • Open borders have created challenges such as pumping fake Indian currency notes, human trafficking, cattle smuggling, etc.
  • Terrorists and insurgents use Nepal as a launch pad for their activities in India

Leveraging inter-dependency to improve relationship:

• Focus based approach is necessary not only in India-Nepal relations but also for other countries in the region by giving more focus towards Neighbourhood first policy. 
  • India should leverage the strategic influence, faster and effective implementation of infrastructure and development projects in Nepal.
• Aid diplomacy:
  • India can focus on “aid diplomacy” to reduce the trust deficit and also has to continue with post-earthquake reconstruction assistance.
• Connectivity:
  • Experts believe that Nepal’s nearest ports will always be in India and the Gangetic plain will remain its largest market.
  • Though China provides access to Nepal for its seaports, they are situated more than 3,000 km away.
• Cooperation in flood management: Establishing a permanent mechanism to reduce the disasters caused by floods in the regions of India-Nepal.
• Mutual respect:
  • The Nepal government has to move away from narrow terms and shift focus towards broadening and inclusion of demands from all sections of society in the Constitution.
  • India should engage on a more equal terms with Nepal

Conclusion:

Quest of Nepal to reduce dependency at any cost from India is pulling it in vortex of Chinese influence. Political establishment in Nepal is overtly pro-China thus reducing the chances of good neighborhood policy measures of India. Thus, out of box thinking and patience is needed compounded with FastTrack diplomacy to keep the Nepali regime in well-polished communication.

With its immense strategic relevance in the Indian context as Indian security concern, stable and secure Nepal is one requisite which India can’t afford to overlook. India-Nepal relations have all the potential to move ahead and become mutually reliable commercial and economic ties, and extensive people-to-people ties only when India and Nepal forget to avoid past mistakes and move ahead to a relationship based on mutual trust and cooperation.

Question #2. It is said that India Bangladesh relations are in a golden phase, yet there are significant hiccups remaining.  Discuss how the India Bangladesh relations have transformed in recent years. Highlight the challenges needed to be addressed to fully realize the potential of this relationship.

 Approach:

• Give a brief background of India- Bangladesh relations (40 words).
• Discuss the various dimensions of India Bangladesh relation.
• Also discuss some of the hiccups in India Bangladesh relation.
• Conclusion (40 words).

Hints:

The year 2021 marks the golden jubilee of the Bangladesh Liberation War. It also marks 50 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties between India and one of India’s closest neighbors, Bangladesh. 2021 is also the birth centenary celebrations year of founder of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It is said that our relations with Bangladesh is the most illustrious example of success of our neighborhood first policy and as our prime minister succinctly put it that India Bangladesh relations have entered a golden phase.

Transformation of India Bangladesh relations:

• India and Bangladesh have successfully resolved their long-standing boundary issues by passage of boundary agreement in India parliament and India accepting the award of permanent court of arbitration in New Moor Island case.
• India and Bangladesh have completed many connectivity projects like maitry setu on Feni bridge and Agartala – Akhaura railway line to boost up the integration of India’s north-east region with economic centers in Bangladesh.
• Connectivity got further boosted through completion of projects like Kaladan multi-model project and BBIN motor vehicle agreement.
• Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia and India is the second biggest trade partner of Bangladesh. Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh has grown steadily over the last decade and the exports of Bangladesh have tripled over the last decade to cross $1 bn in 2018-19.
• Under prime minister Shiek Hasina Bangladesh is highly receptive to Indian concern on terrorism and has actively cooperated with Indian security establishment to flush out terror groups like ULFA from soil of Bangladesh.
• India and Bangladesh also cooperate at multilateral forums like BIMSTEC, ASEAN to shape a common regional narrative.

Despite this successful run certain issues are yet to be resolved in bilateral relationship:

•   Bangladesh, being the downstream country, wants India to share more water from the Teesta, but New Delhi has so far been unable to strike a deal on the matter, likely due to strong opposition from West Bengal state.
•   Bangladesh increasing defense cooperation with China in recent years have raised eyebrows in New Delhi. China is helping Bangladesh in construction of its first submarine base which houses Chinese submarines which have serious strategic consequences.
•   Bangladesh is regularly being dragged in India’s domestic political discourse with divisive rhetoric on issues like CAA (citizenship amendment act) have hurt the optics of bilateral relationship.
•   Issues of rehabilitation of Rohingya Muslims have led to India walking a tightrope between Bangladesh and Myanmar as a result it was China who took a lead in resolution of Rohingya Muslims.

Conclusion:

India and Bangladesh are natural partners due to the role India played in the Bangladesh liberation war. Despite the setback in relation in 80s and 90s India and Bangladesh have managed to put the relations back on track. In future too both the countries are facing common challenges like climate change, rise of religious extremism etc. It is imperative that both countries resolved their outstanding issues through sustained dialogue to maintain the golden phase of bilateral relations.