TOPIC : GS 2 India and its Neighborhood- Relations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s came to India for a ‘working visit’. The principal objective of the visit was to prepare the ground for the visit of President Vladimir Putin later this year.
What is the news?
In this background there was speculation that this visit did not happen because of India& alignment with the US in the Indo-Pacific Policy and anti China Policy which undermined the India – Russia relations.
Emerging geopolitical issues and India – Russia relations
Alignment with US –
- India aligning with US in the Quad in the Indo-Pacific strategy is one ok the key issue between India and Russia.
- India insists that its Indo-Pacific initiatives seek a cooperative order, that the Quad dialogue (of India, Japan, Australia and the U.S.) is not the nucleus of a politico-military alliance.
Russia – China Bonhomie –
- India’s has raised concerns about Russia’s China embrace, encompassing close political, economic and defense cooperation
- Russia accounted for 77% of China’s arms imports in 2016-20.
- India has raised apprehensions about their technology- and intelligence-sharing.
- Further speculations are rife about a future Russia-China military alliance.
Russia – Pakistan angle
- Russian foreign minister recently visited Pakistan. This is the first time a Russian Minister has done so.
- He highlighted that Russia would strengthen Pakistan’s “counter-terrorism capability”. This is being seen as a step to increase the Russian weapon supply to Pakistan.
- Russia is Pakistan’s second largest defense supplier, accounting for 6.6% of its arms imports in 2016-20.
- Further both are cooperating on joint “counter-terrorism” drills and sharing perspectives on military tactics and strategic doctrines.
New cold war –
US is taking on both China and Russia thereby driving the two together . And this accelerating the move to bipolarity towards a new cold war.
Concerns for India – Russia ties
- Russia supplied 49% of India’s arms imports in 2016-20. The share although still high has been falling off late.
- Concerns have been raised regarding the potential technology secrets that can be shared with India adversaries like Pakistan and China because of improving relations of Russia with Pakistan and China.
- Further the there is fear of attracting sanctions from America under its CAATSA law.
Geography in geopolitics
- The Eurasian landmass to India’s north is dominated by Russia and China.
- Strategic and security interests in Central Asia, West Asia and Afghanistan dictate our engagement with the region and the connectivity projects linking it, like the International
- North-South Transport Corridor through Iran.
- For pursuing these interests, India will have to effectively manage its relations with Russia.
Way forward
India should pursue and facilitate Russia’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific. However, Russia’s role in the Indo-Pacific will depend on how successful it is in dealing with the fundamental problems hindering its economic development. Russia’s active engagement in the region would contribute to making the Indo-Pacific truly “free and inclusive”.
Mains question
India and Russia look to reset their relationship . Critically analyze
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/india-and-russia-look-for-a-reset/article34361484.ece
Prelims Punchers
- Ken – Betwa River linking
The Ken-Betwa Link Project is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers. Under this project, water from the Ken river will be transferred to the Betwa river. Both these rivers are tributaries of river Yamuna. Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh signed a memorandum of agreement to implement the Ken Betwa Link Project (KBLP), the first project of the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers.
The Ken-Betwa Link Project has two phases. Under Phase-I, one of the components are Daudhan dam complex and its appurtenances like Low Level Tunnel, High Level Tunnel, Ken-Betwa link canal and Power houses will be completed. While in the Phase-II, three components Lower Orr dam, Bina complex project and Kotha barrage will be constructed.
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-huge-costly-mistake/article34361148.ece
- e-Kranti – Electronic delivery of services
e-Kranti is an essential pillar of the Digital India initiative. Considering the critical need for e-Governance, mobile Governance and Good Governance in the country. The framework addresses the electronic delivery of services through a portfolio of mission mode projects that cut across several Government Departments.
The mission of e – Kranti is to ensure a Government wide transformation by delivering all Government services electronically to the citizens through integrated and interoperable systems via multiple modes while ensuring efficiency, transparency and reliability of such services at affordable costs.
Sources : https://vikaspedia.in/e-governance/national-e-governance-plan/national-e-governance-plan-negp
- STARS programme
Ministry of Education, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), and World Bank have signed an agreement for the financial support worth Rs 5718 crore towards the implementation of the Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) project.
The project aims at improving the overall monitoring and measurement activities in the Indian school education system through interventions in selected states. STARS will draw on the existing structure under Samagra Shiksha. At the state level, the project will be implemented through the integrated state Implementation Society (SIS) for Samagra Shiksha.
The proposed World Bank support under STARS is primarily in the form of a results-based financing instrument called Program for Results (PforR). This will ensure major reforms at the state-level through a set of disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs).
Sources: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1693142
- Sahi Fasal Campaign
‘Sahi Fasal’ campaign was launched by National Water Mission to nudge farmers in the water stressed areas to grow crops which are not water intensive, but use water very efficiently and are economically remunerative ,are healthy and nutritious, suited to the agro-climatic-hydro characteristics of the area and are environmentally friendly.
Creating awareness among farmers on appropriate crops, micro-irrigation, soil moisture conservation etc weaning them away from water intensive crops like paddy, sugarcane etc to crops like corn, maize etc which require less water assisting policy makers to frame policies that make effective pricing of inputs (water and electricity) improve procurement and market for these alternate crops, create appropriate storage them etc ultimately leading to increase in the income of farmers are the key elements of “Sahi Fasal”
Sources : https://blog.mygov.in/sahi-fasal-campaign/
Prelims question
Qn 1.Consider the following statement with reference Ken Betwa project
- These rivers are tributaries of river Narmada
- The project is between the state of Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c). Both of them (d). None of the above
Answer : D
The Ken-Betwa Link Project is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers. Under this project, water from the Ken river will be transferred to the Betwa river. Both these rivers are tributaries of river Yamuna. Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh signed a memorandum of agreement to implement the Ken Betwa Link Project (KBLP), the first project of the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers.
The Ken-Betwa Link Project has two phases. Under Phase-I, one of the components are Daudhan dam complex and its appurtenances like Low Level Tunnel, High Level Tunnel, Ken-Betwa link canal and Power houses will be completed. While in the Phase-II, three components Lower Orr dam, Bina complex project and Kotha barrage will be constructed.
Qn 2.Consider the following statement with reference STARS
1.Ministry of Education, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), and UNESCO have signed an agreement for the financial support.
- . At the state level, the project will be implemented through the integrated state Implementation Society (SIS)
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c). Both of them (d). None of the above
Answer : B
Ministry of Education, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), and World Bank have signed an agreement for the financial support worth Rs 5718 crore towards the implementation of the Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) project.
The project aims at improving the overall monitoring and measurement activities in the Indian school education system through interventions in selected states. STARS will draw on the existing structure under Samagra Shiksha. At the state level, the project will be implemented through the integrated state Implementation Society (SIS) for Samagra Shiksha.
The proposed World Bank support under STARS is primarily in the form of a results-based financing instrument called Program for Results (PforR). This will ensure major reforms at the state-level through a set of disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs).