GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

Recently, the Sultan of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, is visiting India on a state visit. Oman has a pivotal role to play in India seeking deeper engagement and collaboration in West Asia.

Oman's Strategic Importance to India

• Geopolitical Significance: Oman, India's key Gulf neighbor, holds a strategic location along vital sea routes, fostering economic and security cooperation.
• Historical Ties and Neutrality: Oman's rulers have historically favored India, fostering strong people-to-people connections. Oman's policy of neutrality in conflicts enhances regional stability.
• Mediation and Crisis Management: Oman played a crucial role in diffusing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, showcasing its diplomatic prowess in conflict resolution.

India-Oman Strategic Partnership

• Defence and Security Cooperation: India and Oman's defence ties include joint exercises, naval operations, and the historic MoU on Duqm Port, strengthening maritime security.
• Economic Collaboration: Bilateral trade, exceeding $12 billion, and over 6,000 joint ventures underscore the robust economic relationship, with Oman as a vital oil exporter to India.
• Emerging Collaborations: Expanding into space cooperation, joint exploration of rare earth metals, and participation in the India-Middle-East-Europe Connectivity Corridor signify evolving strategic engagements.

Oman: India's Gateway to West Asia

• Regional Diplomatic Role: Oman's memberships in GCC, OIC, and the Arab League, coupled with its adept management of regional power dynamics, make it a crucial diplomatic ally for India.
• Security Concerns and Economic Interests: Oman's stability directly impacts India's security, with millions of Indian expatriates in the region and close ties in energy security and trade.
• Ambassadors of Peace:Both nations, committed to peace, position Oman as India's gateway to West Asia amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Context:

The recent decision came from the Supreme Court on abrogation of Article 370 has made clarity for all regarding its pros and cons.

Article 370 Verdict

• Judicial Impartiality: The Supreme Court's decision on Article 370 aligns with the Constitution, rejecting claims of compromise or ulterior motives.
• The ruling accurately reflects the constitutional evolution, stating the temporary nature of Article 370 and its erosion over decades.
• Federalism and Constitutional Design: The absence of the term "federalism" in the Indian Constitution aligns with B R Ambedkar's vision of a union, not a federation.
• Amit Shah's argument in Parliament, emphasizing one constitution for India, dispels notions of dual citizenship.
• Flexible Federalism: Ambedkar's concept of "flexible federalism" and the Supreme Court's endorsement of "asymmetric federalism" characterize India's unique constitutional structure.

Critique of Article 370

• Temporary Provision: Article 370, introduced as a temporary measure, was expected to cease with the state's constituent assembly.
• Delhi Agreement: The Delhi Agreement in 1952 prolonged Article 370's existence, introducing dangerous precedents like shared sovereignty and separate citizenship.
• Supreme Court's Rectification: The Supreme Court's decision rectifies distortions from the Delhi Agreement and supports the Central government's annulment of Article 370.

Future results

• A Dilemma got over: The ruling ensures closure on the issue, foreclosing any potential revival of Article 370 in the future.
• Territorial Claims: Despite celebrating the end of separate status, attention is drawn to the J&K Constitution, which defined territories differently.
• J&K Constitution: The J&K Constitution's explicit reference to pre-1947 territories raises questions about areas annexed by Pakistan post-Independence.

Context:

Tribal identities in the Northeast have evolved over time. The British colonial administration left a deep imprint, as did the tribesmen’s experience in the world wars.

Identity Dynamics in Northeast India

• Historical Roots of Ethnic Tension: Northeast India's ethnic cauldron stems from the historical mix of "state carrying populations" and non-state tribes.
• Fluidity of Identity:Ethnic violence in Manipur reflects the fluid and dynamic nature of identity.
• Human Story and Identity Construction: Yuval Noah Harari and Benedict Anderson emphasize humans' unique ability to construct identities through storytelling.

British Colonial Legacy and Identity Formation

• Ignored claims:Plains of Assam adapted to centralized bureaucracy, while hills remained unadministered, marked as 'excluded' or 'partially excluded' areas.
• Role of Militias and Assam Rifles: Assam Rifles, born from these militias, played a significant role, especially in the two World Wars.
• Impact of World Wars on Identity: The First World War initiated contrasting identity formations among Naga and Kuki tribes.

Concerns highlighted

• Scope for Internal Friction: James C Scott's concept of internal friction captures the complexity, influencing today's ethnic turmoil.
• Questioned Identity: Ongoing insurgencies and rivalries are linked to the evolving question of identity in the region.
• Colonial Administration Challenges: British administration in Assam grappled with the mix of state and non-state communities.