Current Affairs

India China Relations

Introduction

Sino-Indian border problem is on the most important issue since historical ages.
Both of them have a great history of spiritual development and religious practices.
There are shreds of evidence of cultural exchange and trading for the first few
centuries. Invasions from Islamic regions stopped every interaction and exchange
between India and China. However, both of them suffered from European
colonisation during the 18th and 19th century. They have been politically isolated
from each other up till last seven decades.
They have been vital parts of various trade routes joining the Middle East, Europe,
and Eastern countries. In the current time world heavily relies on these two
countries for manufacturing on various goods. Today, on the global level both of
these countries account for about 33 percent and 25 percent of manufacturing
items respectively.

Border disputes between India and China

The India-China borders can be broken down into three sectors:

1. Western Sector or Aksai Chin Sector: The region is claimed by the Chinese
government post-1962 war as an autonomous part of Xinjiang region which is
originally supposed to be the part of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
2. Central Sector: It is the less disputed section of the Indo-China border but
recent Doklam standoff and Nathu La Pass trading issues have brought distress at
all levels.
3. Eastern Sector or Arunachal Pradesh: McMahon Line had differentiated India
and China in this sector but in 1962 war the People’s Liberation Army covered
9000 sq. km. area. The announcement of unilateral ceasefire made them step
back on the international borderline. However, China has been claiming that area
as their own and recently they have started to claim whole Arunachal Pradesh as
their own.

Border conflicts after the India-China War of 1962

• Aksai Chin in Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh in North East are the
three reasons of the war and after a 1-month long war, China succeeded in
gaining control over Aksai chin .
• In 1967, there were two major occasions of conflicts at Cho La and Nathu La
Pass. All these occasions were in favour of India as they stop and send back
Chinese army.

Agreements and initiatives to resolve the border disputes

• Shimla agreement 1914: McMahon line was established and was accepted by
Tibet and British Indian authorities. Chinese authorities have been against this
from 1914 till today as they believe that Tibet was not a sovereign authority with
no power to conclude any treaties.
• Panchsheel agreement 1954: It was a pact to respect each other’s territorial
boundaries and sovereignty but since 1962 China has rarely honoured the
agreement.
• 1989 CBM: Confidence Building Measure policy was aimed to settle disputes
mutually and peacefully.
• The Line of Actual Control: India consider Aksai chin as a part of India and China
as theirs, both of them follow a different line of control but in 1993 PM
Narasimha Rao agreed to maintain peace along LAC which separates Jammu and
Kashmir from Aksai Chin.
• 2003 Principles for Relations & Comprehensive Cooperation: It was a three-step
process where both sides prepared their maps and exchanged for each other’s
approval. China accepted India’s authority over Sikkim.
• CBM in 2005: Both nations agreed to implement modalities in CBM along LAC.
• Coordination along Border: In 2012 both countries common terms for working
methods regarding Indo-China border.
The long-standing issues between India and China and their changing dynamics

Though there have been always a troublesome relation between India and China,
2017 was a historical year in that regard. India took a firm stand against China and
made China stand down in the issue of Doklam plateau. Both sides considered it
as a win-win situation to resolve it peacefully.
• Border issue: Since 1950’s India and China has been fighting for the boundary
regions. China does not believe in McMahan line and claims part of Arunachal
Pradesh and Aksai Chin also it helps Pakistan to develop POK which is again the
part of India. There have been many treaties or pacts to solve this peacefully but
none has been successful until now. There are reports which suggest that China is
interfering with Tsang Po-Brahmaputra river waters by diverting the flow and
polluting water downstream region around Arunachal Pradesh.
• Dalai Lama: There are several thousand Tibetan refugees whom India has
provided shelter and accommodated them nicely. Dalai Lama, the spiritual
Tibetan is keen to accept India’s offer to provide a home to him. China is not
happy with this and it is constantly making threats to stop this as it is afraid that,
Tibetan people will change their opinions in favour of India.
• NSG: India has climbed a lot higher since its independence and has emerged as a
superpower. India is keen to get a place in NSG and all other members except
China are ready to give India NSG status.
• Masood Azhar: India believes that he is the mastermind behind the Jais-e-
Mohannad terrorist group and wants to declare him as the most wanted terrorist.
In UNSC 14 members amid all 15 members voted in the favour of India but China
was the only one to use Veto and vote against India’s demand.
• BRI: China has allocated a huge amount of money and resources in this project
(CPEC) which entirely passes through Gilgit and Baltistan areas of Aksai Chin and
POK. India’s authority over these areas is always declined by Chinese officials. The
Chinese government has invested a great number of resources in Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI) but India is not interested in this project as it is concerned about
the adverse effects of the BRI.
• Doklam: China attempted to construct a lot of infrastructural projects in the
region and also allocated army for the sake of their protection. The original
motive behind this was to pressurize India and acquire the Doklam region. India
took a firm stand and did not allow China to succeed in their plan. This is why
China is not very supportive of the current Indian government.
• Territorial distress: Constant movements along the border by PLA and their
intrusive movements are generating panic situations. PLA is trying to invade
Indian land by constructing bunkers and military camps to claim the land as theirs.
• India-Nepal Relations: UML party won in Nepal and has allowed China to invest
across Tibet-Nepal border which has opened doors for China to interfere in the
Indo-Nepal relationship.
• Neighbourhood ties: India has always been kind to neighbouring countries like
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. China made Sri Lanka grant them
permission to use Hambantota port. China is using this port to increase their naval
strength in the South Asian Region. China has pressurized Maldives to cut ties
with India. Likewise, China is trying to turn our neighbouring countries against us.
They are trying to isolate us in a hope that India will fall in front of China.

The reasons for the issues

• China was the whole and sole superpower amid Asian countries but India has
emerged as another superpower and challenged China’s monopoly in Southern
Asia and also on the Global level.
• South Asian oceans and seas are potential sources of energy resources like poly-
metallic nodules and hydrocarbons. China wants to exploit most of these
resources.
• Southern Asia holds key trading routes and strategic position in connecting the
rest of the world.
• China wants to undermine Indian market as many International companies are
moving out of China and relocating to India.
• India has become one of the key players of this Multi-polar world and has good
relations with Russia and the USA which are prime competitors of China.
• India’s attitude and stand are getting stronger with the time and India is not
afraid of China in any sector.

Some Plus points:

Despite all the tension on the border regions, export and import between India
and China have increased with the time. There are sectors like mobile industry,
LED industry, and other e-commerce platforms. China has supported India at the
BRICS summit to declare Pakistan based terrorist groups. China and India have
submitted a joint pitch to the WTO regarding agricultural subsidiaries to the
developing countries. Both of the countries have a lot of potentials to develop
and prosper if they work together.

Present Crisis:

There is a complete absence of mutual trust and China grabs every opportunity to
undermine India. Since last decade there has been increasing tensions on all the
boundary fronts. India has gained a lot of superior status in terms of ammunition
and army and at the same time, Beijing has become more assertive to expand
their boundaries. This has increased the need to solve the border problem as
soon as possible.

How can these issues be addressed?

• SAARC: Maintaining a good position in the SAARC, India has always been
supportive of other countries and tried everything to support their development.
India should use this platform to refresh and renew trust with China.
• Strategic Agreements: Indo-China agreements have not been implemented
properly. Instead of focusing on smaller pieces, both should focus on the whole
picture to resolve their differences with a fresh point of view.
• Economical treaties: To maintain economic stability in the South Asian region
both the nations should endorse the Free trade agreement and Friendship &
Cooperation treaty.
 • Competitive coexistence: India and China both should respect each other’s
demands and should participate in mutual initiatives like BRI, SCO etc.
• Mutual Interest: Instead of fighting on terrestrial boundaries, they should focus
more on the common interests like the fight against terrorism, trading, fighting
against religious and social problems.

Way forward:

Two sides must make peace as it will certainly help both the nations to rise on the
global level. Both of them should go to the root causes of the problems and
resolve them mutually. Indo-China relationship has never been built on the trust
so it is high time they should endorse policies which are based on the shared
trust. Clear and continuous communication with 100% transparency is necessary
to maintain peace and happy bilateral relationship as dreamt by PM Modi as “Inch
(India and China) towards Miles (Millennium of Exceptional Synergy)”. Indo-china
relationship is important for not just countries but the people of the South Asian
region too.

India-Usa Relations
History :-

• U.S.A was the supporter of India’s independence from the time of World War 2.
U.S.A saw India more diplomatically valuable than Pakistan, but because of India’s
non-alignment policy, U.S.A started developing relations with Pakistan and made
it a ‘Central Treaty Organization Ally’ in 1954. This made India cultivate strategic
and military relations with the Soviet Union.
• Still for a dozen of years after independence U.S.A provided aid of 1.7 billion
dollars including 931 million dollars in food. U.S.A also helped India in Sino-Indian
war, 1962 with ammunition, arms and clothing supply.
• But after President Kennedy, Indo-US relations deteriorated exponentially, and by
the time Richard Nixon became President U.S left its neutral position in Indo-Pak
tensions and shifted towards Pakistan.
• In 1974, India conducted their first nuclear test the ‘Smiling Buddha’ which was
opposed by the USA. By the 1980s relations improved gradually and the USA
 provided huge technical assistance in fields of electronics, aviation and
communication.
• When Atal Bihari Vajpayee became Prime Minister he gave a green light to
nuclear weapons testing in Pokharan which was heavily opposed by the Clinton
government and India was subjected to umpteen number of sanctions and
embargos except for food.
• Japan also supported the USA’s move. India still went ahead with the
development and the sanctions were soon lifted.

Economics :-

• India and The USA have a bilateral trade of 74.5 billion dollars. The USA has a
trade deficit of 21 billion dollars with India.
• India being USA’s ninth largest goods trading partner.
• But with the failed free trade negotiations and with present US government’s
‘America First Policy’, USA’s decision to withdraw import duty benefits to about
2,000 Indian goods under its Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
programme, we can see a declining trade surplus.
• The USA also claims that it is not getting a fair Indian market share and import
duty relaxations with its increasing amount of exports.
• India claims that the USA is not acknowledging India’s steps to reduce the trade
deficit as India for the first time in 2018 imported oil and gas from the USA worth
4 billion dollars.
• If USA plans to go ahead and revokes India’s Preferential Trade status, India is
planning to impose higher import duties to 29 of the items imported from USA
which will put an extra burden of 290 million dollars per year on the USA.

Defence and Security :-

A top Pentagon commander recently said that India-USA defence sales are at
an all-time high. USA has been supplying us aircraft for the navy (P-8I) and air
force (C-17 Globemaster, Hercules C-130J, Apache and Chinook Helicopters). In
July the USA started delivering M777 Howitzers for the Indian Army.

We have also signed two agreements with USA namely :-

• COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement): It will
facilitate access to advanced defence systems and enable India to optimally utilize
its existing U.S.-origin platforms.
• LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement): LEMOA gives access, to
both countries, to designated military facilities on either side for the purpose of
refuelling and replenishment. India can access all the bases of the USA stationed
worldwide for logistical support and so can the USA.

In the recent 2+2 dialogue defence ministers of both the countries acknowledged
the role of technology and agreed to encourage and prioritize co-production and
co-development projects through the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative
(DTTI).

Military exercise participation :-

• Yudh Abhyas: Annual Combat exercise between Indian and American armies.
• Malabar: Started in 1992, an annual naval exercise between India and USA. Japan
joined in 2015.
• Cope India: Exercises between IAF and USAF.
• Red Flag: India has participated a couple of times in this exercise. Its an aviation
exercise conducted by the USAF in Nebraska several times a year with NATO and
other allied countries.

Diplomacy :-

• From the time of independence itself, the USA has had an inclination towards
Pakistan. It also supported Pakistan in 1971 Indo-Pak War. The USA supplied
military aid and monetary aid for a long time to Pakistan. Though the Trump
administration has started to cut military aids to Pakistan because of Pakistan’s
unwillingness to act on terrorism.
• USA’s support to India is also a part of their strategy to deal with China. China’s
continued progress in military and technology and expansion in the Indian Ocean
bothers both India and USA. So the USA is using the strategy of bringing the like-
minded democracies together, and with the help of India is trying to keep a check
on China.
• In 2018 India got waiver under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries
Through Sanctions Act), which has averted the standoff between the two
countries, as India was reluctant to buy S400 Triumf missiles from Russia and
 import oil from Iran. Under CAATSA USA had declared that those countries
keeping trade relations with Russia, Iran and North Korea will have to deal with
heavy sanctions by the USA. But the USA has not renewed the waiver and India is
most likely to stop importing oil from Iran from the month of May.

Conclusion :-

India USA relations have been through constant ups and downs, and there
always have been positive and negative sides for India irrespective of the USA
President in power. What we should focus on is keeping our sovereignty intact
and try to have good relations with our neighbours as much as possible.

Though there may be many merits in being close to the USA, we should never
forget Russia’s contributions right from the time of independence. Also, we were
on good terms with Iran and Iran was supplying oil to us at cheaper rates. India as
said earlier that we only take the UN sanctions seriously and we should be firm on
this stand of ours and work out some way with the USA to continue our relations
with Iran which would also not make us look weak on the international platform.

Fit India
Context:

• On 29th August 2019, which is a National Sports Day, the Prime Minister of India
Narendra Modi launched ‘Fit India Movement‘ (Fit India Abhiyan) to encourage
people to adopt a fit & healthy lifestyle.

Benefits of Fit India Movement:

• The proliferation of technology made our lives much easier and much better, but
at the same time, it made many people turn to a sedentary lifestyle. Earlier
people used to walk to schools or offices. But now, technological innovations
decreased the necessity of physical activities. Technologies like food ordering
apps, cab booking services, washing machines and online shopping enabled us to
get things done without much physical activity. So, there is a need to take
effective steps to turn to an active lifestyle to protect our health. So, ‘Fit India
Movement’ was launched at the right time and encourages people to maintain a
healthy lifestyle.
• Due to the inactive lifestyle and stressful lives, many people are getting lifestyle
diseases such as diabetes, hypertension etc. Fit India Movement can encourage
people to consume healthy food and to maintain physical and mental fitness.
• With high-quality advertisements and marketing practices, junk food
manufacturers are manipulating children to buy their foods. This Fit India
Movement will make children think about the negative consequences of junk
food. As a result, this movement will encourage children to consume healthy
food.
• Some parents put too much stress on children to study. They send their children
to tuition after school or just make them sit to do homework forgetting the
importance of free time to play. This movement has the potential to change their
minds and as a result, they may encourage their children to go out and play.
• Some people are already focusing on fitness. We can observe this with the
increasing number of fitness startups. But that is a small proportion of
people. Generally, many people want to maintain an active lifestyle, but all they
need is some encouragement. So, this movement constantly reminds people to
focus on fitness goals just like Swachh Bharat reminds us of the importance of
keeping our surroundings clean.
• This movement has the potential to make more people embrace traditional Indian
martial art forms like Kathi Samu, Musti Yudha etc, and traditional dance forms
and also healthy Indian snacks. And as a byproduct, this may result in creating
some jobs.

Challenges:

• ‘Fit India Movement’ may not reach the people of below poverty line. To maintain
a healthy lifestyle, both physical activity and nutritious food are necessary. But in
India, still many people are malnourished and some people do not have access to
safe drinking water. So, without solving the issue of poverty and lack of access to
affordable nutritious food, a section of people in India will not be able to take
advantage of this movement.
• The motivation to maintain fitness should start from childhood. But in India, many
schools lack playgrounds. Lack of playgrounds may push children to turn into an
inactive lifestyle.

Abrogation of Article-370
 Context:

• On 5th August 2019, the Indian government passed Jammu & Kashmir
Reorganisation bill (2019), which divided Jammu & Kashmir state into 2 union
territories – Jammu & Kashmir (union territory with state legislature), Ladakh
(union territory without state legislature).

Benefits:

• Bifurcation can result in better governance, more efficient administration. It can

also help in tackling terrorism.
• Taking unilateral decisions is sometimes important because dialogue and all the
other ways did not work till now.
• When Jammu&Kashmir was one state, Ladakh felt alienated. Its ecological and
cultural uniqueness was not given enough importance and was often neglected
because the culture of Ladakh and J&K are very different. Thereby people of
Ladakh are demanding the bifurcation from a long time. Ladakh’s local leaders
feel that their region was politically neglected by the administration at J&K. So,
bifurcating is a good decision. Moreover, tourism and film shootings faced
obstacles due to the militancy in J&K. Now as Ladakh is a separate UT, it can boost
its economy.
• The Indian government announced that J&K will be turned into a state once the
situation becomes normal. So, we can consider the UT status of J&K as temporary.

India-Russia Relations
History:

India had very strong bilateral ties with the USSR and the same relations got
inherited with Russia later. When it comes to the relationship with the third world
countries, India was Russia’s best partner since the 1950s. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru
initiated the relationship by visiting USSR in 1955. Nikita Khrushchev’s, first
secretary of the communist party, in his visit in the fall of 1955 announced that
the USSR recognised Indian sovereignty over the disputed territories of Kashmir
and Goa (under the Portuguese at that time). The Soviet Union took a neutral
stance during the 1962 Indo-Sino War and it was strongly objected by China. The
USSR leveraged its relations with China to have strong ties with India. In 1962 the
Soviet Union agreed to transfer technology to co-produce the MIG-21s in India,
which the USSR had already refused to China. In August 1971, India signed
the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with the Soviet Union.

Right from the 1950s the USSR provided India with immense financial aid,
helped us with Infrastructure and Industrial Development.

Economy:

In 2014, both the countries set a target of USD 30 bn investment target by

2025. By 2017, Russian investment in India amounted to USD 18 bn and Indian
investment amounted to USD 13bn. Since they have already reached the USD30
bn mark, both the countries have raised the target for 2025 to USD 50 bn.

In 2017-18, bilateral trade was USD 10.69 billion, a 21.3% increase over 2016-
17. With Russia having a trade surplus of USD 6.5 billion. India imports mineral
fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation, bituminous substances;
precious or semiprecious stones and metals; Fertilizers; Nuclear reactors, boilers,
machinery and mechanical appliances; Electrical machinery and equipment. And
exports Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances: parts
thereof; Organic chemicals; Coffee, tea, mate and spices; Vehicles and parts and
accessories thereof.

To further enhance the bilateral trade both the countries are planning on
trading in national currencies and a free trade agreement.

Defence:

Russia has been a very generous defence partner to India right from the time
of Independence. In terms of defence technology, the buyer-seller relationship
has evolved into joint research and development. BrahMos missile system,
licenced production of SU-30 fighter aircraft and T-90 battle tanks are some of the
examples of joint co-operation. Russia is the biggest arms supplier to India. Soon
an AK-203 assault rifle manufacturing plant will be set up in Amethi by joint
cooperation and S-400 Air Defence Systems will be supplied to us. Russia has over
the years supplied attack and transport aircraft and helicopters, tanks, aircraft
carriers, submarines, frigates, assault rifles, bullet proof vests etc.

Both the countries regularly have the military exercise ‘INDRA’ and airforce
exercise ‘Avia INDRA’.
 Science & Technology:

Russia is an important partner to India in Nuclear Energy, Space Technology

and other fields of Science.

1. Nuclear Energy: In December 2014, both the countries signed an agreement for
strengthening cooperation in the field of peaceful use of Nuclear Energy.
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is being built in India with Russian
cooperation. KKNPP Units 1 and 2 have already become operational. In 2015 an
agreement on the localization of manufacturing of nuclear equipment in India
was also concluded.
2. Space Cooperation: Both the countries have a had a very long history of peaceful
cooperation in the field of space. The first Indian satellite ‘Aryabhatta’ was
launched on a Russian launch vehicle. India’s first man in space, Sqn. Ldr. Rakesh
Sharma went with the Russians in a Russian module. Several MoUs have been
signed to further enhance the cooperation.
3. Science & Technology: The Working Group on Science and Technology functioning
under IRIGC-TEC, the Integrated Long-Term Programme (ILTP) and the Basic
Science Cooperation Programme are the three main institutional mechanisms for
bilateral Science and Technology cooperation, while the Science Academies of the
two countries promote inter-academy exchanges. Several other steps have also
been taken to encourage a two-way exchange of technology.

Defence Budget
Defence Budget 2019-20 :-

• On February 1, 2019, interim budget was announced in the parliament. As the

nation was already swaying between jingoism and nationalism, the same can be
said for the 8.1% hike in the defence budget.
• Rs. 4,31,011 crores were announced for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) out of
which Rs. 3,01,866 crores form the conventional defence budget. This
conventional amount will be allotted to Army, Navy, Air Force and DRDO.
• The army takes the lion’s share i.e. 56% of the defence budget. Airforce gets 23%,
Navy gets 15% and the DRDO gets 6% of the budget.
• Of the total defence budget, share of revenue expenditures (salaries and
pensions) is 66%. The rest is for capital expenditure (modernization).
• Army’s capital expenditure will be the least when compared to the other two in
terms of percentage. Though we have the second largest army in the world, it still
is not an excuse for spending less on modernization. China was having the same
problem but it quickly restructured the organization, shredded some manpower.
This helped them in increasing their manoeuvrability and spending more on latest
technologies.
• Though Gen. Bipin Rawat came up with effective and modern restructuring plans
to ensure money comes towards modernization, but since the budget has already
been allocated, we might not see the restructuring happening this year.
• Navy and Airforce will be spending almost 11% and 10% respectively on
modernization from their shares. We are already short of squadrons in the IAF
and most of the existing planes and AWACS system belong to the previous
century. Same is the case with Navy, with China exponentially expanding its naval
power, India will have to put more efforts.
• The government did come up with Make in India and also tried to incentivise the
start-up industry through Startup India and defence sector was not excluded from
it (Department of Defence Production initiated the Innovations for Defence
Excellence (iDEX)). But we haven’t seen any significant results from the former
and lack of investment hampers the latter.
• The involvement of new and private players will boost the competition and
quality of the indigenously developed defence products and will also reduce the
quality of procurement. This in the truest sense will embark the success of Make
in India.
• We expect groundbreaking results from the DRDO, but we provide them with only
6% of the total defence budget to look after its men and to come up with new
innovations too, which is pretty unfair. DRDO’s share needs to be increased.

India Pakistan Relations

Indo-Pak relations can be discussed under the following heads :-

History :-

At the time of independence, British India was partitioned into countries i.e.
India and Pakistan. Muslim league demanded a separate country for the Muslims
as they feared that in a Hindu majority India, they may go unrepresented. Though
Pakistan was a country for Muslims but the Indian leaders decided that India
would be secular nation. Both the countries witnessed a violent partition, as there
were riots on both the side on religious grounds.

Language, Art and Culture :-

There is a huge overlap in the language and cuisine of both the countries as
they were ruled by the Mughals for around 300 years. Both the countries have a
fair number of Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus (India is a home to more number of
Muslims than Pakistan). Pakistani music has a huge fan base in India and same is
the case with Indian movies and actors in Pakistan.

Economics :-

Before India’s withdrawal of MFN status from Pakistan and imposing 200%
import duties in aftermath of Pulwama attacks, major imports from Pakistan
included fresh fruits, cement, petroleum products, bulk minerals and ores and
finished leather and Indian exports included raw cotton, cotton yarn, chemicals,
plastics, manmade yarn and dyes.

Geo politics :-

Since both the countries have a common past, umpteen similarities, Geo-
politics has a major role to play in their relations. One of the most prominent and
seemingly everlasting issue is of Kashmir. According to the rules of merger for the
princely states of the pre independent India, Kashmir refused to join both India
and Pakistan and wanted to be an independent state, but Pakistan sent it’s army
for annexure of Kashmir. On Raja Hari Singh’s request India agreed to help but on
certain conditions which led to Kashmir being a part of India with article 370.
Pakistan refused to give up the occupied area of Kashmir before ceasefire and
that part of Kashmir is known as POK. Since then Kashmir is the bone of
contention between the two countries and Pakistan keeps on playing dirty games
which results in constant unrest in Kashmir.

Both the countries also signed ‘Indus Water Treaty (IWT)’ in 1960, brokered
by World Bank for peaceful sharing of the water of river Indus and it’s tributaries.

A major initiative was taken in last November as both the sides agreed to set
up the Kartarpur Corridor to link the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib – the final
resting place of Sikh faith’s founder Guru Nanak Dev – to Dera Baba Nanak in
Gurdaspur. A welcome which ‘may’ result in reducing bitterness between the
countries.

Defence and Security :-

This header is the first thing that comes to mind when someone hears India
Pakistan relations as India and Pakistan have fought 4 full length wars till date.
Over the years both of them emerged as nuclear powers so there is barely any
chance of a conventional war, as a result there is a proxy war going on between
the countries. Pakistan has been allegedly sheltering, funding, feeding and
training terrorists against India. Though Pakistan publicly denies resorting to any
such methods, there are infinite proofs that Pakistan shelters terrorists. As per
many reports, apart from sending terrorists through Kashmir in India it has been
funding and supplying arms to the rebel groups in Kashmir to recruit and train
Kashmiri youth to fight against India. Apart from wars there has been continued
events of ceasefire violation at the LOC.

Diplomacy :-

Pakistan has an overwhelming support of China in all areas be it technology,

defence, finance etc. China also supports Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, and has
been continuously exercising it’s veto in the UN favouring Pakistan’s terrorist
organizations. One of the China’s many reasons to support Pakistan is to keep
India engaged in these issues as it sees India as a serious competitor in it’s goal to
dominate Asia and the world.

Right from the time of Independence Russia has played a major role in India’s
development in all aspects and in order to neutralize Russian involvement in
South Asian politics, USA has supported Pakistan by providing arms, fighter
aircrafts and funds.

Conclusion :-

Despite being similar to India in numerous aspects, having fertile land and a
huge reserve of natural resources Pakistan has been lagging far behind in terms of
development. It’s high time that Pakistan ends all kinds of enmity, direct or
indirect with India and focuses on it’s development, prosperity of Pakistanis and
reducing China’s debt as it has already come a long way in losing it’s sovereignty
 to China. India is ready to help Pakistan by all means like an elder brother for
Pakistan’s development, once it ends terrorism and stops ceasefire violations.

Woman in Combat Roles

Theme :-

• In November 2018, Indian Army Chief, Bipin Rawat said that Indian Army is not
yet ready for women in Combat roles ( face to face fight with enemy ) considering
the lack of facilities and infrastructure to make it happen.
• Other two Indian Armed Forces, i.e Indian Air Force & Indian Navy allows women
in Combat roles.
• Currently there are women in Indian Army working in some areas such as medical,
legal, engineering wings etc.
• In June 2017, Indian Army Chief, Bipin Rawat said that Indian Army has started the
process to recruit women for combat roles.
• As of 2018, Germany, Australia, Canada, the US, Britain, Denmark, Finland,
France, Norway, Sweden and Israel have allowed women in combat roles.

For :-

• Women are now entering to many sectors that were once closed to them. In the
present generation, women are handling the responsibilities at home and as well
as at work. So, women have the capability to handle combat role in the Indian
Army as well.
• Many people are arguing that women do not have enough physical strength to
fight in the field. But without training, men too cannot do justice to the combat
role. With training anyone can work in the combat role.
• Physical strength may not always work in the field. Intelligence is the prerequisite
to defeat the enemy. Considering the technology available in the present times,
one can definitely compensate the lack of physical strength with intelligent usage
of weapons.
• Allowing both men and women helps in increasing the number of personnel in
Indian Army.
 Against :-

• Biologically, men are stronger than women. Hence, it may not be wise to deploy
people in the field that have less physical strength than the enemy.
• Women do have special needs at the times of menstrual cycles and pregnancy
etc. So, they may not be always ready to serve in the field.
• There are no much facilities and infrastructure in Indian Army to allow women in
combat roles.

Conclusion :-

If women are willing to serve in combat roles for the country, it will be
discriminatory to not allow them. It’s important to provide facilities for women to
fasten the process of including women in combat roles in Indian Army.