International Relations Class 08

Vishal Gupta April 05, 2024

 International Relations Class 08

SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION (SAARC) (5:10 PM):

  • The need for regional cooperation was felt when it was believed that after coming together, the South Asian countries would be in a better position.
  • The region faces high poverty, malnourishment, etc., and other human development issues.
  • The region has seen several wars, like between India & Pakistan.
  • The region is also prone to natural disasters like floods, cyclones, etc.
  • The region is also facing non-conventional threats like growing radicalism, etc.

Formation:

  • SAARC was formed in 1985 by the initiative of Zia Ur Rahman, the military ruler of Bangladesh.
  • The initial aim was to form a coalition against China.
  • India joined later after initial hesitance.
  • Pakistan earlier believed that the group would be bogged down by Indian hegemony.
  • Pakistan joined when it believed that it could better hamper Indian regional initiatives by being a member.
  • It had 7 founding member countries-India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
  • Observers of SAARC are Australia, China, the European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea, and the United States.

Principles of SAARC:

  • I.Respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  • II. Domestic non-interference, just like SAARC but unlike the Copenhagen Criteria by the European Union(EU).
  • The decision-making will be done by consensus.
  • IV. Only regional issues will be discussed and no bilateral issues will be discussed. 
  • As most members of SAARC are post-colonial countries, sovereignty is very important for them.
  • EU can also use the means of a qualified majority.

Achievements of SAARC:

  • I. SAARC Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).
  • It came into force in 2006 to establish zero tariff rates by 2016.
  • A South Asian Customs Union was to come into existence by 2016.
  • II. South Asian University.
  • III. South Asian Food Bank
  • IV. SAARC Satellite.

FAILURE OF SAARC (5:30 PM):

  • Evidences of failure:
  • I. Irregular summit, actually no summit after the 2014 summit at Kathmandu.
  • The 2016 summit in Pakistan was canceled after India announced to boycott of it after the terrorist attacks at Uri.
  • Later many other nations like Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka followed in boycotting the summit
  • II. Economic integration:
  • South Asia is among the least integrated regions in the world.
  • The internal trade of SAARC is only around 5 % of their total external trade, which is even less than in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • In comparison, the internal trade, as a percentage of their total trade is 65 % for the EU and  25% for ASEAN.
  • The intra-regional investment for SAARC is only at 1%, while it is 18% for ASEAN.
  • The intra-regional investment treaty for SAARC has been in abeyance(postponement) for a long time.
  • III. Failure of SAFTA.
  • Till now we have not achieved a zero tariff regime.

Reasons for the failure of SAARC:

Insecurity/Size asymmetry:

  • There exists a large size asymmetry between India and all the other member nations.
  • India has a hard time convincing the other members that any step that it takes in the neighborhood does not have any ulterior motive.
  • We see the small power-large power insecurity.
  • It is remarked that "India is the 290-pound gorilla and its any move is looked at suspicion by other 90-pound gorillas.
  • Regardless of the motive and practicalities involved.
  • Steps like the 1971 partition of Pakistan, IPKF action in Sri Lanka, and the Sikkim Annexation have been portrayed as actions driven by imperialist motives.

Pangs of Proximity:

  • India shares borders with all other SAARC members.
  • As per the Mandal Siddhant by Kautilya,  neighbors are natural enemies.

India-Pakistan rivalry:

  • The rivalry and distrust between the two largest members of SAARC have been regarded as the biggest obstacle before SAARC.
  • For example, the Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) was envisaged at the SAARC level.
  • Later due to Pakistan, it had to be deliberated at the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) level.
  • C Rajamohan believes that "The Caravan of South Asia is being slowed down by Pakistan".

Reverse regionalism/Reductive regionalism :

  • They are interested in asserting their distinctness from India.
  • South Asian countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, etc. have very high levels of cultural similarities and commonalities.
  • Yet the sense of patriotism in these nations is understood in the sense of their expression of anti-India sentiments.

Role of external powers:

  • The USA wanted the EU and ASEAN to succeed against communism.
  • Pakistan had joined CENTO and SEATO, and India tilted towards the USSR despite being non-aligned.
  • Hence, the USA‘s role in SAARC and the region was overall divisive.
  • China through CPEC is believed to try to alter geographical linkages.
  • Through CPEC, Pakistan is expected to trade more with China, rather than India with which it shares large boundaries.

Industrial Supplementarity:

  • There exist supplementary industries in the countries.
  • Hence the industries compete with each other, rather than complementing each other through manufacturing goods and services at different levels of the supply-manufacturing chain.
  • For example- both India and Bangladesh are major producers of Jute products.

Lack of Deep Pockets:

  • No country in the region has deep pockets like we saw in Europe.

CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE OF SAARC(6:20 PM):

  • SAARC failure has boosted sub-regionalism and inter-regionalism.

Sub-regionalism:

  • Many members have already started chalking out intra-SAARC agreements to continue functions despite the SAARC logjam.
  • For example BBIN, South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC), etc.

Inter-Regionalism:

  • An example would be the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
  • BIMSTEC has 5 South Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) and two Southeast Asian countries (Myanmar, and Thailand)

Steps that can be taken for the rejuvenation of SAARC:

  • Possible steps:
  • I. SAARC minus Pakistan:
  • Any agreement with SAARC- after excluding Pakistan won't be feasible.
  • SAARC minus Pakistan arrangement would also see connectivity issues for Afghanistan.
  • II. Inclusion of China:
  • Including China in SAARC can bebeneficial.
  • China has expressed interest in joining SAARC.
  • Chinese inclusion is supported by Pakistan & Bangladesh.
  • India is against the inclusion of China.
  • India points out that China is not a South Asian nation.
  • India is also apprehensive of losing the pole status of SAARC to China.
  • China has also set up CSACF- China, South Asia Cooperation Forum.
  • Its membership consists of China,  SAARC members(excluding Bhutan),  Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Suggestions:

  • India and Pakistan must keep their differences and insecurities aside.
  • In the backdrop of the financial trouble in Pakistan and the effects of terrorism faced by Pakistan, Pakistan can be nudged to stop sponsoring terrorism.
  • India can look for a suitable arrangement with China through cooperation and compromise in other sectors.

BIMSTEC:

  • It was formed as BIST-EC in 1997: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka Thailand Economic Cooperation.
  • Its Secretariat is in Dhaka.
  • It became BIMSTEC when Myanmar joined later in 1997.
  • The aim was to avoid disturbance by Pakistan and include the growing economy of Thailand.
  • In 2004, Nepal and Bhutan joined and the organization was named as Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.

Importance of BIMSTEC:

  • Geopolitical:
  • It can be very helpful in achieving the Neighbourhood First Policy and Act East Policy.
  • Geostrategic:
  • It can help in countering the Chinese presence in South East Asia.
  • It is very vital for the development of North Eastern states and connectivity to South East Asia and it can act as a bridge between South Asia and South East Asia.
  • Geoeconomic:
  • It represents 21% of the world’s population and nearly $3 trillion in GDP.
  • BIMSTEC comprises emerging economies which despite the global slowdown of 2008-12, continued to grow with an average GDP growth rate of 6.5 %. 
  • The Bay of Bengal is rich in untapped economic resources such as reserves of gas, seabed minerals, oil, fishing stock, etc.

Recent developments:

  • The 5th Summit was held in Colombo in 2022 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of BIMSTEC.
  • It has adopted a Charter and decided to meet once every two years.
  • It has adopted a flag and emblem.
  • 7 pillars of cooperation have been identified; Idnai to handle the security pillar.
  • A master plan for transport connectivity has been outlined for regional and domestic connectivity.
  • An agreement on mutual legal assistance for criminal matters has been signed.
  • An agreement on technology transfer has been signed.

Challenges faced by BIMSTEC:

  • BIMSTEC has two types of summits – ministerial and head of the state level.
  • The Head of State summits have been very irregular- only 5 meetings have been held in 25 years; the last was in 2022 in Lanka.
  • A joint military exercise was planned but  Nepal and Thailand refused.
  • Domestic issues of members- political instability in Thailand, Military Coup in Myanmar, etc. affect the necessary political will of the member countries.
  • The Secretariat faces a lack of finances and manpower.
  • India in the latest summit announced that it will provide $1 million to the BIMSTEC secretariat to increase its operational budget.

Way Forward:

  • BIMSTEC FTA which has been in negotiation since 2004 must be finalized.
  • A coastal shipping agreement must be signed.
  • An arrangement for electric grid connectivity.
  • Engaging under the spirit of Gujaral doctrine.

Question: Can BIMSTEC be a replacement for SAARC?

Approach:

  • Introduction: We can start with the context of how the question of replacing SAARC came up.
  • Main Body: We must give pieces of evidence of the shift of prominence from SAARC to BIMSTEC
  • We need to evaluate whether SAARC has lost its relevance.
  • The conclusion must be with a way forward.

Pieces of evidence of the shift:

  • The indefinite postponement of the SAARC  summit.
  • During the first term swearing-in ceremony of the present government in 2014, SAARC leaders were invited.
  • For the second swearing-in ceremony in 2019, BIMSTEC leaders were invited.
  • As a part of the BRICS Outreach Summit in Goa in 2016, BIMSTEC leaders were invited.

Is SAARC irrelevant?

  • Important global powers are present as observer members- Australia, China, the European Union, Iran,  Japan, South Korea, the United States of America, etc.
  • It is the only regional organization for South Asia.
  • SAARC is also a relatively new body as it came up only in 1985.
  • ASEAN came into existence in 1967 and the EU came into existence in the 1950s.

Even BIMSTEC is not free from challenges such as:

  • Even BIMSTEC sees irregular summits and has not finalized an FTA.
  • BIMSTEC's founding principles include the declaration that the body will act as an addition to, but not as a substitution to the existing international agreements.

Way Forward:

  • We can mention ways to strengthen SAARC and highlight that SAARC and BIMSTEC have different aims.

Mekong- Ganga Cooperation(MGC) (7:00 PM):

  • It was founded in 2000 in Vientiane, Laos through the Vientiane Declaration.
  • The original aim was the development of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the region- CLMV ( Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam).
  • Ganga and Mekong are considered civilizational rivers- great rivers whose banks and major civilizations flourished. 
  • The aim of MGC is to facilitate closer contact among the people inhabiting these two civilizational rivers.
  • 11  ministerial meetings have taken place with the last one being in 2021 in Cambodia.
  • The MGC meetings are co-chaired alternatively every year between India, and the other five Mekong countries.

Membership:

  • India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam

Areas of cooperation (Scope):

  • Tourism.
  • Culture.
  • Education.
  • Transport & Communication
  • During the 10th MGC held in 2019 in Bangkok Thailand, three new areas of cooperation were added-
  • Science & Technology.
  • Water Resources Management.
  • Skill Development & Capacity Building.

Lancang- Mekong Cooperation:

  • The Lancang is part of the Mekong that flows through China.
  • Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand are five downstream countries of the Mekong River and members of the body.

India- China Relations:

  • China is an Irredentist state which is dissatisfied with its existing borders.
  • China is also believed to be an Expansionist power.
  • Mao Zedong gave the Palm & Five Fingers theory.
  • Palm represented Tibet which was annexed in 1951.
  • The five digits include  Ladakh/Aksai Chin, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, and NEFA/Arunachal Pradesh.

Evolution of India- China relations:

1950-1962:

  • India followed the policy of Chinese appeasement.
  • Pandit Nehru was more optimistic about China than Sardar Patel.
  • India was the first non-communist country to recognize the Communist People's Republic Of China (PRC) after the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
  • By then, Taiwan (Republic of China) held the permanent UNSC Seat.
  • India pushed for the PRC to get the UNSC seat instead of the ROC.
  • After the Korean Conflict, India opposed the U.S. labeling of China as an Aggressor.
  • Under the 1954 Panchsheel Agreement, India accepted Tibet as a part of the PRC.
  • India gave away special trading rights that India had since the British period.
  • Indian action of giving refuge to Dalai Lama did not go well with the PRC.
  • Minor border skirmishes culminated in the 1962 war.
  • The major Indian defeat pushed Indian foreign policy from idealism to realism.

1962-1988 (7:30 PM):

  • This was a phase of cold peace when the relations
  • The Janta Party Government (1977-1979) chose a sequential approach with China.
  • Under its approach, India expressed that till the border settlement is done, no other cooperation with China will be done.
  • China under Deng Xiaoping aimed at development for which peace at the border was important.
  • To settle the border dispute negotiations were held between 1981-1988.
  • China offered a package deal under which China offered to recognize NEFA as a part of India if India accepted Aksai Chin as a part of China.
  • India refused the piecemeal border settlement and wanted Chinese recognition of Indian ownership over both Aksai Chin and NEFA.

Rajiv Gandhi's Approach 1988:

  • A simultaneous approach was proposed.
  • Under the approach, India chose to focus on border issues along with other aspects of cooperation like trade.
  • The Joint Working Group Mechanism was adopted until the Galwan clash.

1993:

  • Border Peace & Tranquility Agreement under P.V. Narasimha Rao.

1996:

  • Chinese president visited India for the first time.
  • Confidence Building Measures in the military field were agreed upon.
  • It was due to agreements in 1993 and 1996 that both Indian and Chinese forces do not use guns over the LAC (Line of Actual Control).

2003:

  • China recognized Sikkim as a part of India.
  • A Special Representative Mechanism is put in place.

2005:

  • India and China conclude the 'Guiding Principles and Political Parameters' for border dispute resolution.
  • The parameters include:
  • I. A Fair, responsible, and mutually acceptable approach will be used for demarcating borders.
  • II. Prominent geographical features will be used to demarcate borders.
  • III. Interest of the settled population will be taken into consideration.

Recent Phase:

  • Bilateral relations have hit their lowest point(Nadir) since the 1962 war.
  • We have seen many border clashes.
  • There have been certain phases of competition and cooperation.
  • Cooperation:
  • There have been informal summits in Wuhan & Mammallapuram.
  • Informal summits have no official agenda or declarations.
  • Competition:
  • 73-day standoff in Dokalam.
  • China blocking Indian entry in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
  • China blocking Indian effort to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists.
  • Chinese initiative of Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) which includes (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor)CPEC which passes through disputed territory.
  • There were physical confrontations in Galwan, Pangong-Tso Lake, Gogra Hotsprings, Depsang Valley, and Demchok.
  • In December 2022, there was a confrontation at the Yangtze Ridge Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • There have been many Chinese skirmishes after October 2021 in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • There have been earlier incidents at Depsang Valley in 2013, and Chumar region in 2014.
  • These incidents were accidental, unlike the pre-mediated event at the Galwan Valley in June 2020.
  • The reasons might be many- to express discomfort regarding growing India-USA relations, or diversion from internal disturbance regarding Zero-Covid policy.
  • The motive might be to assert dominance in Asia.
  • India rejected both signals by mirroring the military buildup of Chinese forces along the borders.
  • India tried to inflict economic costs on China by:
  • I. Banning certain Chinese apps.
  • II. Restricting Chinese FDI.
  • III. Restricting Chinese participation in sectors like power transmission, telecom, etc.

These steps have not given the desired results because:

  • India is still very much dependent on China.
  • India-China trade deficit has been increasing in favor of China.

The topic for the next class is the way forward against China


QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1)

Currently how many members are in the SAARC organization?

(a)6

(b)8

(c)7

(d)10

2)

SAARC started with limited agenda of cooperation, and such agendas included:
1. Bilateral issues will be raised and resolved.
2. No contentious issues will be raised.

find the correct option

(a)Both 1 and 2

(b)1 Only

(c)2 Only

(d)Neither 1 nor 2

3)

Consider the following statement with respect to BIMSTEC

  1. All the member countries of SAARC except Pakistan are members of BIMSTEC.
  2. It was formed in 1997 by the Bangkok Declaration.
  3. It"s secretariat was opened in 2014 in Dhaka.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a)1 and 2 only

(b)2 and 3 only

(c)1 and 3 only

(d)1, 2 and 3.

4)

Which of the following is a member of the BIMSTEC?

  1. Myanmar.
  2. Nepal.
  3. Sri Lanka.
  4. Thailand.
  5. Laos.
  6. Cambodia.

 Select the correct answer from the options given below:

(a)1,2, 3, 4, and 5 only

(b)1, 2, 3 and 4 only

(c)5 and 6 only

(d)1, 2 and 3 only

5)

Which of the following can make SAARC effective?

  1. Working on connectivity and infrastructure as a priority.
  2. Creation of a South Asian brand to Project a common identity and interest.
  3. Creation of an Integrated Regional Value Chain in South Asia.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

(a)Only one

(b)Only two

(c)Only three

(d)None of the above

6)

Consider the following Statements :

  1. The intra-regional trade in South Asia stands at 15 %.
  2. All decisions in SAARC are taken by a Majority Vote.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c)Both 1 and 2

(d)Neither 1 nor 2 

7)

Which of the following is the most expected characteristic of an Irredentist state?

(a)The state will aim to remain neutral in international relations

(b)The state will be looking forward to acquire new weapons.

(c)The state will sponsor cross-border terrorism.

(d)The state will be dissatisfied with its present boundaries.

8)

Consider the following statements regarding the Chinese Palm & Five Fingers theory:

1. It was first given by Deng Xiaoping.

2. Here the palm represents Tibet which was annexed by China in 1951.

3. The five digits include  Ladakh/Aksai Chin, Himachal, Bhutan, Sikkim, and NEFA/Arunachal Pradesh.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a)Only one

(b)Only two

(c)All the three

(d)None of the three

9)

What is the relevance of BIMSTEC and what are the prospects for India being a key member of the grouping? (150 words/10 marks)

10)

South Asia faces reverse regionalism. Comment.(150 words/10 marks)

11)

BIMSTEC has to face many obstacles and challenges in developing into an effective regional organization. Explaining the statement, offer some solutions in this context.(150 words/10 marks)

12)

How far do you think BIMSTEC can replace SAARC as far as Indian interests are concerned? (150 words/10 marks)

13)

Trace the evolution of India-China relations from the 20th century. (150 words/10 marks)



Answers
1) b
2) c
3) b
4) b
5) c
6) d
7) d
8) a

Q1.

Though the SAARC was the central piece of India’s neighborhood first policy but was not successful. Mention the reasons for its failure and suggest the way forward. (150 Words/10 Marks)

(10 marks)
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