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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-China

    Concerns over Australia in the Malabar Exercise

    op-ed snap | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    While the idea of inviting Australia to join Malabar is being explored, we must not forget the concerns with it. This article examines such concerns.

    Context

    • India’s Ministry of Defence discussed the issue of adding Australia to the trilateral Malabar naval exercise.
    • If materialised, it will be the first time since 2007 that all members of Quad-India, U.S., Japan and Australia will participate in a joint military drill.

    Possible consequences of the move

    • The Chinese leadership sees the maritime Quadrilateral as an Asian-NATO that seeks only to contain China’s rise.
    •  India’s intention to involve Australia in the Malabar drill could only be construed as a move directed against Beijing.

    India’s perspective

    • Following the stand-off in Ladakh, many Indian analysts believe the time is right for India to shed its traditional defensiveness in the maritime domain.
    • The realists advocate an alliance with the U.S., Japan and Australia to counter Chinese moves in the Indian Ocean.

    Concerns

    1) Contrary message to China

    • While India and China are negotiating a truce, Australia’s participation in the Malabar exercise sends contrary signals to Beijing.
    • If China responded aggressively in the Eastern Indian Ocean, it could needlessly open up a new front in the India-China conflict.

    2) Only modest gains for India

    • U.S. and its Pacific partners want to form a maritime coalition to implement a ‘rules-based order’ in the Indo-Pacific littorals.
    • India’s priority is to acquire strategic capabilities to counter a Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean.
    •  Indian Navy is yet to develop the undersea capability to deter Chinese submarines in the eastern Indian Ocean.
    • With U.S. defence companies hesitant to share proprietary technology the gains for India, in exchange for signing up the ‘military-quad’, are modest.
    • Without strategic technology transfers, Indian Navy’s deterrence potential in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will not improve much.

    3) Operational issue: India will be drawn into power dynamics of the Asia-Pacific

    • With the strategic contest between the U.S. and China, there is every possibility that the military-Quad will be used to draw India into the security dynamics of the Asia-Pacific.
    • The U.S. would expect its Indo-Pacific partners, including India, to assist the U.S. Navy in its South China Sea endeavour.
    •  The U.S. and Japanese navies have little spare capacity for sustained surveillance and deterrence operations in the IOR.
    • Australia is an exception and is ready and able to partner India in securing the Eastern Indian Ocean.

    4) Timing

    • A balancing coalition must come together at a time when the nature and magnitude of the threat are wholly manifest.
    • But, despite a growing presence in the Indian Ocean, the Chines Navy is yet to physically threaten Indian interests at sea.
    • So, the onus of the first move to precipitate a crisis in the Eastern Indian Ocean lies with the Indian Navy.

    Conclusion

    Upgrading the trilateral Malabar to a quadrilateral, without acquiring the requisite combat and deterrence capability, could yield gains for India in the short term, but would prove ineffective in the long run.

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  • Agricultural Sector and Marketing Reforms – eNAM, Model APMC Act, Eco Survey Reco, etc.

    Exporting agri-inputs

    op-ed snap | Agriculture | : Indian Economy

    Some changes could make India exporter of agri-inputs. The article examines bottlenecks that holds India back and suggests the policy changes in key agri-inputs-seeds, fertilisers and machinery.

    Context

    In the following 3 key agri-inputs India has the untapped potential. What is needed is policy changes.

    1) Seeds

    • India can emerge as an important seed producer and a large exporter of seeds to many developing countries in South and South-east Asia as well as Africa.
    • The country can produce very competitively-priced seeds for hybrid rice, hybrid corn, hybrid Bt HT cotton, and several vegetables including tomato, potato and okra.
    • For this to happen, we have to set our regulatory system right.
    • Let’s use the case of cotton.
    • India’s decision in March 2002 to allow Bt cotton made India the largest producer of cotton in the world and the second-largest exporter of cotton by 2013-14.
    • But due to policy changes since 2014-15 and issues such as trait fees companies stopped the introduction of new generation of seeds
    • Now there is an “illegal” spread of Bt HT cotton in Maharashtra.
    • This is partly because our regulatory system is complex.
    • And more so because the present government has ideological blinkers against modern science.
    • This is the biggest bottleneck holding India back from becoming the seed capital of the developing world.

    2) Fertilisers

    • India has been a net importer of fertiliser nutrients (NPK) for almost two decades.
    • In 2019-20, India imported fertilisers worth $6.7 billion, topping the list is urea $2.9 billion.
    • We are totally dependent on imports and likely to remain so in case of MOP and in the case of DAP.
    •  In the case of urea, India wants to be atmanirbhar by opening up five new urea plants in the public sector with a total capacity of 6.35 MMT.
    • Almost 70 per cent of the gas being used in urea plants is imported at a price much higher than the price of domestic gas.
    • The cost is going to be more than $400/tonne when the international price generally hovers between $250-300/tonne.
    • The government should allow existing private sector urea plants to expand and produce at a much lower cost.
    • The best way to achieve self-reliance in fertilisers is to change the system of fertiliser subsidies.

    Suggestion on changes in fertiliser subsidies

    • 1) Deposit equivalent cash directly into farmers’ accounts, calculated on a per hectare basis.
    • 2) Free up fertiliser prices.
    • 3) Allow the private sector plants to compete and expand urea production in a cost-competitive manner.

    3) Farm machinery

    • Before the Green Revolution, India produced only 880 tractor units.
    • It increased to about 9,00,000 units in 2018-19.
    • So, India is the largest tractor manufacturer in the world.
    • India also exported almost 92,000 tractors, largely to African and ASEAN countries.
    • Though Green Revolution gave tractor production a push, the real break-through came after de-licensing in 1991.
    • The new class of entrepreneurs and start-ups are coming up with special apps for “Uberisation of tractor services”.
    • In an economy of small landholders, owning a tractor is a high-cost proposition as it is not fully utilised.
    • This needs to be made more efficient by creating a market for tractor services.

    Consider the question “Despite having the potential to transform itself into the exporter of agri-inputs, India ends up being the importer of some of them. In light of this examine India’s potential to become the exporter of agri-input products and suggest the measures to achieve this.”

    Conclusion

    The private sector is our strength. The only thing the government has to do is to unshackle them from the chains of controls and webs of unnecessary regulations. They will make an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

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  • Judicial Pendency

    What is Plea Bargaining and how does it work?

    Explained | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Executive & Judiciary

    Many members of a religious faction belonging to different countries have obtained release from court cases in recent days by means of plea bargaining. They were accused of violating visa conditions by attending a religious congregation in Delhi.

    Try this question for mains:

    Q.What is Plea Bargaining and how does it work? Discuss the rationale behind and benefits in reducing the burden on Judiciary.

    What is Plea Bargaining?

    • Plea bargaining refers to a person charged with a criminal offence negotiating with the prosecution for a lesser punishment than what is provided in law by pleading guilty to a less serious offence.
    • It is common in the US and has been a successful method of avoiding protracted and complicated trials.
    • As a result, conviction rates are significantly high there. It primarily involves pre-trial negotiations between the accused and the prosecutor.
    • It may involve bargaining on the charge or in the quantum of sentence.

    When was it introduced in India?

    • In India, the concept was not part of law until 2006. It was introduced in 2006 as part of a set of amendments to the CrPC as Chapter XXI-A, containing Sections 265A to 265L.
    • There has always been a provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure for an accused to plead ‘guilty’ instead of claiming the right to a full trial, but it is not the same as plea bargaining.
    • The Law Commission of India, in its 142nd Report, mooted the idea of “concessional treatment” of those who plead guilty on their own volition but was careful to underscore that it would not involve any plea bargaining or “haggling” with the prosecution.

    How does it work?

    • Unlike in the U.S. and other countries, where the prosecutor plays a key role the Indian code makes plea bargaining a process that can be initiated only by the accused.
    • Further, the accused will have to apply to the court for invoking the benefit of bargaining.

    In what circumstances is it allowed?

    • Cases for which the practice is allowed are limited.
    • Only someone who has been charge-sheeted for an offence that does not attract the death sentence, life sentence or a prison term above seven years can make use of the scheme under Chapter XXI-A.
    • It is also applicable to private complaints of which a criminal court has taken cognizance.
    • Other categories of cases that cannot be disposed of through plea bargaining are those that involve offences affecting the “socio-economic conditions” of the country or committed against a woman or a child below 14.

    How to avail this?

    • The applicant should approach the court with a petition and affidavit stating that it is a voluntary preference and that he has understood the nature and extent of punishment provided in law for the offence.
    • The court would then issue a notice to the prosecutor and the complainant or victim, if any, for a hearing.
    • The voluntary nature of the application must be ascertained by the judge in an in-camera hearing at which the other side should not be present.
    • Thereafter, the court may permit the prosecutor, the investigating officer and the victim to hold a meeting for a “satisfactory disposition of the case”.
    • The outcome may involve payment of compensation and other expenses to the victim by the accused.

    After approval

    • Once mutual satisfaction is reached, the court shall formalize the arrangement by way of a report signed by all the parties and the presiding officer.
    • The accused may be sentenced to a prison term that is half the minimum period fixed for the offence.
    • If there is no minimum term prescribed, the sentence should run up to one-fourth of the maximum sentence stipulated in the law.

    What is the rationale for the scheme? What are its benefits?

    • The Justice Malimath Committee on reforms of the criminal justice system endorsed the various recommendations of the Law Commission with regard to plea bargaining.
    • Some of the advantages it culled out from earlier reports are that the practice would ensure a speedy trial, end uncertainty over the outcome of criminal cases, save litigation costs and relieve the parties of anxiety.
    • It would also have a dramatic impact on conviction rates.
    • Prolonged incarceration of undertrials without any progress and overcrowding of prisons were also other factors that may be cited in support of reducing pendency of cases and decongesting prisons.
    • Moreover, it may help offenders make a fresh start in life.

    Do courts have reservations?

    • Case law after the introduction of plea bargaining has not developed much as the provision is possibly not used adequately.
    • However, earlier judgments of various courts in cases in which the accused enter a ‘guilty’ plea with a view to getting lesser sentences indicate that the judiciary may have reservations.
    • Some verdicts disapprove of bargaining with offenders, and point out those lenient sentences could be considered as part of the circumstances of the case after a regular trial.
    • Courts are also very particular about the voluntary nature of the exercise, as poverty, ignorance and prosecution pressure should not lead to someone pleading guilty of offences that may not have been committed.

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  • Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries Sector – Pashudhan Sanjivani, E- Pashudhan Haat, etc

    Godhan Nyay Yojana to boost rural economy

    Schemes | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Economics Of Animal-Rearing

    Chhattisgarh is set to launch ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’. The scheme aims to put money in the pockets of people living in rural areas and also solve the problem of stray cattle.

    Try this question from CSP 2019:

    Consider the following statements

    1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into the environment.
    2. Cattle release ammonia into the environment.
    3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into the environment.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 3 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 2 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Godhan Nyay Yojana

    • Under the scheme, the Chhattisgarh government will purchase cow dung at the rate of Rs 2 per kg.
    • This scheme will turn cow dung into a profitable commodity.
    • The scheme also aims to make cow rearing economically profitable and to prevent open grazing in the state, as well as help with the problem of stray animals on roads and in urban areas.

    How will the scheme help the rural economy?

    • The scheme will generate additional income and increase employment opportunities.
    • The government will procure cow dung and prepare vermicompost in order to move towards organic farming.
    • There is a huge market for organic farming. Vermicompost will be sold by cooperative societies.
    • Distribution of vermicompost fertilizer to farmers will be done as a commodity loan by cooperative societies, banks.

    Preventing strays in urban areas

    • In urban areas, the scheme will prevent movement of stray animals on roads and highways, and also improve urban sanitation with proper disposal of waste produced by cattle.
    • Cattle will be tagged with the owner’s name, address, mobile number to the neck of each animal after the survey to ensure accountability of cattle owners if their cattle are found in the open.

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  • Zoonotic Diseases: Medical Sciences Involved & Preventive Measures

    What is Itolizumab, newly cleared for Covid?

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    The Drug Controller General of India recently approved Itolizumab as a novel biologic therapy for restricted emergency use.

    Various drugs in news these days are:

    1) Remdesivir: Ebola

    2) Lopinavir: HIV

    3) Hydroxychloroquine: Malaria

    What is Itolizumab?

    • Itolizumab is an existing drug used for psoriasis, a chronic skin disease involving unregulated growth of some skin cells that develop into red patches mostly on knees and elbows, but also on some other parts of the body.
    • The drug, developed by Bengaluru-based Biocon, was approved in 2013.
    • It is a monoclonal antibody which is used to treat acute psoriasis.

    Why it is being used for COVD-19?

    • The coronavirus has been observed to induce an overreaction of the immune system, generating a large number of cytokines that can cause severe damage to the lungs and other organs.
    • Itolizumab is safe and efficient in preventing cardio-renal complications in Covid-19 patients who also have acute respiratory distress.

    What are monoclonal antibodies?

    • Monoclonal antibodies are proteins cloned in the lab to mimic antibodies produced by the immune system to counter infection.
    • They have their genesis in serum, the colourless constituent of blood that contains antibodies.
    • These proteins bind to an antigen, the fragment of an infectious virus in the case of SARS-CoV-2, and either destroy it or block its action.

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  • Zoonotic Diseases: Medical Sciences Involved & Preventive Measures

    Vitamin D and its health benefits

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    There have been considerable discussions in scientific circles on the importance of vitamin D in these days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Try this question from CSP 2017:

    Q.Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended in the diet since they are a good source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a person maintain health and promote longevity?

    (a) They activate the enzymes necessary for vitamin synthesis in the body and help prevent vitamin deficiency.

    (b) They prevent excessive oxidation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body and help avoid unnecessary wastage of energy.

    (c) They neutralize the free radicals produced in the body during metabolism.

    (d) They activate certain genes in the cells of the body and help delay the ageing process.

    Vitamin D and its prevalence

    • It is produced when sunlight (or artificial light, particularly in the ultraviolet region of 190-400 nm wavelength) falls on the skin.
    • Light triggers a chemical reaction to a cholesterol-based molecule and converts it into calcidiol in the liver and into calcitriol in the kidney.
    • It is these two molecules that are physiologically active.
    • Since sunlight is important for the generation of vitamin D, tropical countries have an advantage over the northern countries.
    • India, being a tropical country, one would expect naturally derived vitamin D levels to be good.

    Why Vitamin D is important?

    • Vitamin D deficiency can affect COVID-19 high-risk patients, particularly those who are diabetic, have heart conditions, pneumonia, obesity and those who smoke.
    • It is also associated with infections in the respiratory tract and lung injury.
    • Besides, vitamin D is known to help in having the right amount of calcium in the bones, catalyse the process of protecting cell membranes from damage, preventing the inflammation of tissues.
    • Moreover, it helps stop tissues from forming fibres and weakening bones from becoming brittle, leading to osteoporosis.

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Species in news: Raksasa Cockroach

    Species | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    A team of researchers has discovered a supergiant cockroach when they explored waters of the Indian Ocean in Bantan, off the southern coast of West Java in Indonesia.

    Try this MCQ:

    Q.The ‘Bathynomus Raksasa’, a species recently discovered is basically a:

    a) Mollusc

    b) Annelid

    c) Arthropod

    d) Flagella

    Bathynomus Raksasa

    • The Bathynomus raksasa is a giant isopod (phylum: Arthropoda) in the genus Bathynomus.
    • It is described as the “cockroach of the sea”. The epithet is the Indonesian word “raksasa” for giant, alluding to its enormous size.
    • The giant isopods are distantly related to crabs, lobsters, and shrimps (which belong to the order of decapods), and are found in the cold depths of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
    • It has 14 legs but uses these only to crawl along the bed of oceans in search of food.
    • As a scavenger, Bathynomus raksasa eats the remains of dead marine animals, such as whales and fish, but can also go for long periods without food, a trait that it shares with the cockroach.

    Why this cockroach matters?

    • Bathynomus raksasa is the sixth ‘supergiant’ species from the Indo-West Pacific and is one of the largest known members of the genus.
    • The discovery takes the number of known giant isopods to 20.
    • As the Bathynomus raksasa reveals its secrets, it will contribute towards increasing knowledge about the deep.

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  • Food Procurement and Distribution – PDS & NFSA, Shanta Kumar Committee, FCI restructuring, Buffer stock, etc.

    Issue of Food subsidy in India

    | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: PDS, Buffer Stock & Food Security

    Solutions to Problems in Food Subsidy Delivery

    The following solutions will help in addressing problems associated with PDS.

    1. Replacing Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of food subsidy. National Food Security Act (NFSA) states that the centre and states should introduce schemes for cash transfers to beneficiaries.Cash transfers seek to increase the choices available with a beneficiary, and provide financial assistance.  It has been argued that the costs of DBT may be lesser than TPDS, owing to lesser costs incurred on transport and storage.  These transfers may also be undertaken electronically. As per a report given by a high level committee of Food Corporation of India, DBT would reduce Government subsidy bills by more than Rs 30,000 crores.
    2. Automation at the Fair Price Shops is another important step taken to address the problem in PDS. Currently more than 4.3 lakh (82%) Fair Price Shops have been automated across the country. Automation involves installation of Point of Sale (PoS) devices, for authentication of beneficiaries and electronic capturing of transactions.
    3. Aadhar and introduction of Biometrics was recommended to plug leakages in PDS. Such transfers could be linked to Jan Dhan accounts, and be indexed to inflation. It  facilitates the removal of bogus ration cards, check leakages and ensure better delivery of food grains. In February 2017, the Ministry made it mandatory for beneficiaries under NFSA to use Aadhaar as proof of identification for receiving food grains.
    4. 100% ration cards had been digitised.
    5. Between 2016 and 2018, seeding of Aadhaar helped in detection of 1.5 crore fake, duplicate and bogus ration cards and these cards were deleted.
    6. Increase the procurement undertaken by states known as Decentralised Procurement (DCP), and reduce the expenditure on centralised procurement by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). This would drastically reduce the transportation cost borne by the government as states would distribute the food grains to the targeted population within their respective states. As of December 2019,17 states have adopted decentralised procurement.
    7. The Fair Price shops operate at very low margins as per findings of the Government. Hence the fair price shops should be allowed to sell even non-PDS items and make it economically viable. This will motivate them to not to resort to unfair practices in the distribution of Government subsidized food grains meant for beneficiaries of Government schemes.
    8. A greater and more active involvement of the panchayats in the PDS can significantly improve access at the village level.
    9. There is also an urgent need to set up a proper and effective grievances redressal system for both the fair price shops as well as beneficiaries

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  • Electoral Reforms In India

    Voting right to migrant workers

    op-ed snap | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Representation Of People’s Act

    A large number of migrant workers cannot vote in their constituency. This assumes significance when we consider that the Supreme Court has interpreted the right to vote as an extension of the fundamental right of the freedom of expression. So,  the ECI should find ways to enable them exercise their right.

    Universal adult franchise: India’s achievement

    • India moved from a restrictive 15 per cent of Indians having limited voting rights to universal adult franchise.
    • Transformative nature of the Indian national movement and the ideals of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in it played a crucial role in it.
    • It was B R Ambedkar’s clarity of vision that resulted in Article 326 of the Constitution.
    • Ambedkar had influenced public opinion on the matter for decades, giving evidence before the Southborough committee.

    Migrant workers: some facts

    • According to the 2011 Census, the number of internal migrants stands at 45 crore.
    • Among these, 26 per cent of the migration, that is, 11.7 crore occurs inter-district within the same state.
    • 12 per cent of the migration, that is, 5.4 crore occurs inter-state.
    • Both official and independent experts admit that this number is underestimated.
    • Circular migration accounts for those migrants who have not permanently relocated to host cities, and instead circulate between host and home cities.
    • Short-term and circular migration could itself amount to 6-6.5 crore.
    • Half of these are inter-state migrants.
    • Migrant labourers mostly hail from most poverty-driven rural areas.
    • They are from among the most marginalised sections SC/STs and OBCs, and other minorities.
    • As of 2011, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were the largest sources of inter-state migrants, with 83 lakh and 63 lakh migrants respectively.

    Low turnout in the source states

    •  Economic constraints disable a majority of migrant workers from voting as they cannot commute to their home states on the polling day.
    • One survey shows that only 48 per cent of those surveyed voted in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, when the national average was 59.7 per cent.
    • In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, major sender states such as Bihar and UP had among the lowest voter turnout rates.

    Inability to satisfy “Ordinary Resident” criteria

    • Given the nature of migration being circular and seasonal, migrants are not permanent/long-term residents in host cities.
    • So, they do not satisfy the requirements of being an “ordinary resident” under Section 20 of the Representation of People Act (RP Act), in the host state, to obtain voter cards.
    • They are, therefore, unable to transfer their constituency.

    Solution: Postal ballot

    • The Election Commission of India has under Section 60(c) of the RP Act the power to notify a certain class of persons to vote via postal ballot.
    • The ECI’s much-proclaimed mission to ensure “no voters are left behind” has resulted in attempts to ensure a secure system of postal ballots.
    • In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, more than 28 lakh votes were received via postal ballots.
    • The Indian migrant worker should be given the right to vote through a similar system.

    Consider the question “There is scope for increasing the voter turnout in India and enabling the migrant workers to vote could be one of them. Examine the reasons for low voting turnout in India and suggest the measures to improve it.”

    Conclusion

    Securing the migrant workers right to vote will make democracy inclusive, responsible and sensitive to the concerns of those who find it difficult to make their voice heard.

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Iran

    Iran ties need quiet diplomacy

    op-ed snap | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    India ties with Iran are significant for more than one reasons. Two countries share cultural bonds, Iran holds a special place when it comes to India’s energy security. Yet, India often finds itself in a difficult position as it tries to walk the tightrope between the U.S. sanction and maintaining the relations with Iran. 

    Context

    • Concerns were raised in India over its exclusion by Iran from the 628 km long rail link between Chabahar and Zahidan.
    • Iran has since clarified that it is not the case and India could join the project at a later stage.
    • It happened just as China and Iran were close to signing a deal on an economic and security partnership.

    Importance of Chabahar and the rail link

    • Chabahar could provide connectivity for Afghanistan through Iran in order to lessen its dependence on Karachi port.
    • This plan has enjoyed support in Delhi, Kabul and Tehran since 2003.
    •  Road and rail links from Chabahar to Zahidan and then 200 km further on to Zaranj in Afghanistan, need to be built.

    Progress on the project

    • Iran was under sanctions during 2005-13, so there was little progress.
    •  Meanwhile, India concentrated on the 220 km road to connect Zaranj to Delaram on the Herat highway, and completed it in 2008.
    • After the sanctions on Iran eased in 2015,  A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with Iran in 2016.
    • This MoU aimed to equip and operate two terminals at the Shahid Beheshti port as part of Phase I of the project.
    • The Trilateral Agreement on Establishment of International Transport and Transit Corridor between Afghanistan, Iran and India was signed.
    • In addition to $85 million of capital investment, India also committed to providing a line of credit of $150 million for port container tracks.
    • Phase I was declared operational in 2018 and India’s wheat shipments to Afghanistan have been using this route.
    • A special economic zone (SEZ) at Chabahar was planned but re-imposition of U.S. sanctions has slowed investments into the SEZ.
    • India was given a waiver from U.S. sanctions to continue cooperation on Chabahar.
    •  Despite the waiver, the project has suffered delays.

    Growing Iran-China relations

    • In 2016, just as sanctions were eased, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Tehran and proposed a long-term comprehensive, strategic partnership.
    • Iran kept the negotiations going for years because of reluctance to grow too close to China.
    • Meanwhile, tensions in the region have been growing since last year with missile strikes in Saudi Arabia and a U.S. drone strike killing Gen. Qassim Soleimani.
    • As a veto-wielding member, China can help Iran at the UNSC.
    • Even so, the Iran- China comprehensive, strategic partnership road map has run into opposition in the Majlis[Iranian Parliament].

    India’s concerns over Iran-China deal

    • What is alarming for New Delhi is that Beijing is also concluding a security and military partnership with Tehran.
    • Initial reports in Iran have suggested China will deploy 5,000 security personnel to protect its projects in Iran.
    • Some reports suggest Kish Island in the Persian Gulf, located at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, maybe “sold” to China.
    • With a growing Chinese presence, India is also concerned about its strategic stakes around the Chabahar port project.

    Way forward for India

    • Though China has a greater capacity to resist U.S. sanctions, Iran realises the advantage of working with India as it enjoys a sanctions waiver from the U.S. for Chabahar.
    • Iran and India also share an antipathy to a Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.
    • This is why Iran would like to keep the door open.
    • Nevertheless, India needs to improve its implementation record of infrastructure projects in its neighbourhood.
    • There are numerous tales of Indian cooperation projects in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, etc suffering delays and cost overruns that only make it easier for China to expand its footprint in India’s neighbourhood.

    Consider the question “India-Iran ties circumscribed by each other’s compulsion and geopolitical constraints. Comment.”

    Conclusion

    India should continue to remain politically engaged with Iran so that there is a better appreciation of each other’s sensitivities and compulsions.

    With inputs from:

    https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-in-china-iran-indias-concerns-6511177/

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