VYAPAM Scam - the Outrage and the Undercurrents

Dr. Anand Rai is a medical practitioner based in Indore. He couldn’t keep himself isolated from the news of forged admissions and large scale corruption in MP state agency conducted pre medical test (Madhya Pradesh PMT). The state agency under question was Madhya Pradesh VYAvsayik PAriksha Mandal (popularly referred to by its acronym VYAPAM). He filed an FIR in Indore Court and based on the hearings one of the kingpins of the scam Jagdish Sagar was arrested by MP Police. Jagdish Sagar later threatened Anand Rai in the same court premise. There were several such stated or implicit threats issued to Dr. Rai from people who were either already arrested or were being investigated by the Police. Dr. Anand Rai asked for the Police protection citing a threat to his life under witness protection law. Initially he was refused any such protection. Later, once the issue started showing its true proportions, he was granted a Police security, albeit he had to pay for this protection from his own pocket.

This is the story of a man who was key to exposing one of the most intriguing scams in recent memory. The way law keepers and concerned authorities reacted to the threat to his life raises a number of questions. Did they not know the deep rooted stench that may have been present in the case, possibly involving people from highest corridors of power, or did they know this all too well and decided that discouraging the act of such whistle blowing was a prudent way to safeguard those involved?

Nevertheless, the scam has manifested itself in its truer form ever since. This is a very curious case in the sense that it did not surface through the bites of overnight sensational revelations. Earliest reports that VYAPAM was missing a decent bone or two in its functioning started appearing in 2004. From 2009, these reports started gaining a new lease of momentum when the sheer number of people involved ensured that the cozy club of beneficiaries could not be trusted to safeguard the shady details of scam. There was a vortex of breakdown of information – sometimes from middlemen, professionals who had allegedly joined government services with questionable credentials, students, and even parents. A few mysterious deaths of those who had links to VYAPAM soon followed. But we waited. We waited because the deaths were not significant in number and hence threshold of pan India attention was still not around.

source (focusnews.com)

But that scenario has changed now, some media reports put the number of people associated with VYAPAM scam who have died after investigation were initiated to as high as 48. MP administration itself admits that there have been around 28 deaths. We can reasonably put the actual number somewhere in between. Of these deaths, at least 12 have been reported to have occurred under mysterious circumstances. For example the case of Dr. D. K. Sakalley, who was the dean of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College - he first took a medical leave from his college and then later allegedly immolated himself in his own backyard. There are several other examples where nature of deaths can’t be dismissed as natural without raising an eyebrow.

These deaths have given fuel to the public outcry and media outrage to the scam. There are multipronged demands from opposition parties both from within and outside the state to hand over the investigation to CBI and let it be monitored by Supreme Court. State government says that the investigation is currently monitored by High Court and is driven by a High Court constituted SIT and STF (Special Task Force) – and that handing over this case to Supreme court will not only undermine its own state agencies but will also amount to contempt of the High Court.

But beyond this almost familiar chorus of an Indian scam, there are some uncomfortable questions nobody is willing to own. Dr. Anand Rai’s expose was made early in 2013 and the matter was being actively investigated. VYAPAM was at the center of this brewing storm. There was little doubt that some of its own people, entrusted with the critical task of feeding state government with administrative cadres are conniving to fill up their coffers. But even in the face of such distrust, all the non IAS based exams were folded under the preview of VYAPAM by MP government in the same year. This was a decision rooted in contradictions. Government could have waited for a few years to let VYAPAM clear its name from the scandal and then could have proceeded with transferring even more powers to the commission. The same year witnessed something even more unique – Madhya Pradesh became the first and only state to remove physical fitness marks from police cadre test. This category of test was relegated to ‘qualifying’ criteria and it didn’t matter how well you performed in the test itself. Effectively all the marks were now being given during written tests and interviews. Voices were raised against this move and many failed to understand the rationale behind such a decision.

source (thehindu.com) 

Some state medical colleges did a commendable jobs of reporting any suspect admission to state authority, with a copy each sent to Chief Minister himself between 2011 and 2013. They called out the students’ name and roll numbers in their reports to state authorities. Despite this, however, the Chief Minister said in the assembly that he was not aware of a single student securing admission through unfair means under VYAPAM. Opposition and some whistleblowers have accused the ruling administration of being party to a larger conspiracy – the attempt to inject its cadres in the key administrative and bureaucratic positions. These positions, once filled, continue to be served by the person for around thirty years unlike political incumbency which goes under ballot hammer every five years.

The arrest of Jagdish Sagar, based on the PIL of Dr. Anand Rai, brought major information related to the scam to public preview. Jagdish Sagar had once sold his wife’s Mangalsutra to complete his medical education. Later in his career, this little known man from Gwalior amassed such an empire of illicit connections and wealth that left MP Police baffled and scrambling for answers. During a particular raid at his residence, millions of Rupees of cash and records of at least thirty properties at various places were recovered. During interrogation he quoted below ongoing rates for the admissions under the VYAPAM scam:

·         Conductor in transport department – 15-20 lacs

·         Food inspector – 20-25 lacs

·         Sub inspector – 15-22 lacs

The modus operandi of scam was simple and varied – and speaks of the confidence that the involved people had while altering established norms of admissions. Some students had their exam entrance cards tweaked and photos changed to an impersonator. The impersonator would often charge a hefty amount for appearing in the exam on behalf of students and ensuing that the students cleared the entrance tests. These photos were later restored to originals after exams. In other cases a person was strategically seated between two students and allowed them to copy the responses. There were also instances where students left their answer sheets empty which were later filled up by middleman and VYAPAM officials.

Everything was possible provided you had the deep pockets to fund it.

Official numbers put such questionable government employees who cleared the test by unfair means to more than a thousand. Moreover over five hundred medical doctors have allegedly cheated in the exams to get in to medical colleges. Over two thousand five hundred FIRs have been filed against people across multiple districts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Some reports suggest that at least eight state level professional entrance exams were tampered between 2009 and 2010.

These are damning numbers, and unsurprisingly state government and by extension even the central government of the day find themselves in a tight spot. There are more dirty linens expected to be washed in public. Exposes and counter exposes, media bites and revealing testimonies are going to occupy much of the print and television media space in coming days. People are aghast with yet another reinforcement of their skepticism in government functioning – that everything is rotten from top down and only high and mighty get their way in today’s influence driven world.

But there is also a risk that we may miss the larger picture amid all the brewing storm. Who were the people, now conveniently termed as ‘victims’ of the scam, who bribed middlemen and officials to secure their children a seat in government jobs? Who were the people who crossed all the barriers of ethics, and let themselves be driven by greed, insecurity, and deceit of a comfortable and upward mobile life? They formed a nexus with the more than willing middlemen, giving shape to a Kraken of a scam in which everyone seemed to be winning, but everyone eventually has lost. In their moment of misplaced judgement, they chose to abandon all sense of proprietary and did the exact same thing they have been accusing political and administrative elite of doing.

This indicates to a rot that runs deep in our conscious, we as masses are susceptible to lure of short term gains and allow ourselves to be corrupted at the slightest of possibilities. No wonder then, that the political and administrative leadership show us the mirror of our intentions, albeit in a scale and manner befitting their clout. No wonder then, that such scams have repeatedly surfaced, not only in Madhya Pradesh but in places like Haryana and Bihar where parents have been shown to be a consenting party to this sinister pattern.

source (indianexpress.com)

Intriguing trend of deaths may be giving VYAPAM an odd sense of public attention and we should therefore brace for a lot of self-righteous comments and coverage from people sitting on the high chairs on their judgment. But the real question is whether we have the courage and conviction to point out where the real blame lies? Why do official believe that they will find enough people interested in such murky dealings to make it a multi-million Dollar scam every time? What gives them the confidence with which the launch such shady enterprises? Do they know of our frailties and motivations better than us? Or are we just plain hypocrite to admit to our own shortcomings? 

(Written by Manish Jha, an Alumnus of IIIT Hyderabad and currently working with Microsoft as Program Manager. He is also associated with a social initiative 'Joy of Reading')

Read More

Spotlight : Ordinances,Indian Constitution, Indian Parliament and the Largest Democracy

The power to make ordinances is an extraordinary device that is enumerated in article 123 of the constitution and is a device that should be used sparingly to deal with such situations when both the houses of the Parliament are not in session. Thus the framers  of the constitution  of India  made it as a device through  which  laws can be made but it  act  as a device  that  is just kept  under the parliamentary  supremacy . Thus Parliament  is the way to make laws for  the union and it should  be fair to adopt  a  system  of passing  of bills  in the Parliament rather  than making  executive  orders. It is the way to make the will of the people high rather than encompassing despotic ways though they are entitled for a few days or to a few months.

source (wsj.com)

The Parliament of India is the place to make laws and is represented by the people directly or indirectly. Thus the framers brought such a great power to make laws with the Parliament. Thus as the President  of India  mentioned  that  the government  should  use the device  of the Parliament  to pass the bills because  it can make discussions,  which  is a great  process regarding   the democracy  in India.

The process of passing   a bill in the Parliament of India is a great process.  It is composed of many steps and so it takes a great time to pass a bill in the Parliament. It can make general public to understand  the policies  of  the government  and in the case of the current  government,  it can create  an assessment  regarding  the policy shift from the previous  government. Thus through  proper discussion  within  the public , it can make  public  opinion ,  which  is a great  directive  in a democracy.

source (prsindia.org)

The discussion  within  the Parliament  can avail  a situation  in which, the parliamentarians should  be familiar  with  the  governmental  policies. Through discussing it, proper suggestions will be prompted with solutions from the experts and from the opposition too. Such discussions can make  opposition  to understand  the interest of government regarding  such  policies and through  such understanding  the opposition  can discharge  their role fairly.

source (frontline.in)

Through such measures from the opposition it can make better discussion within the parliamentarians and   media can explore in a great way. Through such discussions in the Parliament, the government can understand the drawbacks of the proposed legislation. It is the way to determine  the attitude  of  people  regarding  this because , the proposed bill will  have to  go through  five steps  mentioned  in the constitution  and it will take  time. So within  the said period of time, the views of  public  and their attitude  of  the  concerned  bill  should  be expressed  through  various  measures.

Though  the ordinances  must be passed  in both  the houses,  it is sometime  raised as an extension  of the false politics  to achieve  their  ends and it was  revealed  with proclaiming  ordinance regarding  the protection  of  members  of the Parliament in corruption  case and it was deactivated  later due to strong  public opinion. Thus it aroused as a notion within the public to achieve their ends regarding the party politics at certain occasions.

It should be noted that at certain  occasions,  the  attempts  to pass a bill in the Parliament  failed  and the government  later preferred  ordinances  for the legislation  because ,  they want  to achieve  the advantages  of  enacting  laws to achieve  their ends.

source (indianexpress.com)

The president  of  India  is the titular  executive post,  though  the stances  of the constitution  make the president  binding  on the  aid and advice proclaimed  by the cabinet ,  such ordinances  can make collisions  between  real and nominal executives.  It may happen when the president is appointed by the opposition party when they were in power and with the new government because of party politics.

The ordinances  should  be passed  when there is a situation  in which , the bills  cannot  be passed  in the Parliament  and sincere  and genuine efforts  from  the government  to pass the bill in the floor of both the houses had been already taken. The ordinance should be used as an extension of the sincere efforts to pass the bill in the Parliament. Passing of the bills in the Parliament can make proper discussions, which is an inevitable pedestal in a democracy rather than despotic ways.

(Written by Vineeth V, an IPS aspirant pursuing graduation in Political Science at Trivandrum, Kerala)

Read More

Siachen Glacier : Not Just Another Battlefield !!

It was early April 1984 and winter of Siachen had gradually started to recede. The temperature would settle around at -60 degree Celsius. Even at this relatively high temperature by Siachen standards, an Indian soldier manning the 70 KM long Siachen glacier could lose any part of body that was in contact with gun metal for merely 15 seconds because of extreme cold conditions. The soldiers were facing two pronged adversaries – at one hand was the most difficult living condition known to mankind and at other hand was constant threat of a Pakistani attempt to reclaim these high posts of Siachen.  It was then that a Pakistani armed contingent of SSG (lead by Gen Pervez Musharraf- later president of Pakistan and Kargil conflict mastermind) launched the biggest Pakistani mission witnessed in the region so far. Pakistani SSGs were trained and supported by US special ops forces. Short term goal of the mission was to capture Bilafond La, one of the western passes leading to Siachen glacier. After an intensely fought battle that sometimes involved hand to hand combat, Indian outposts defended their position of strength and most serious Pakistani threat to the Indian occupation was successfully thwarted.

This is the story of conflict in a region that was supposed to be beyond any human or strategic interest. At an average height of 20,000 feet, the world’s second largest non-polar glacier Siachen is planet’s highest and costliest conflict zone. It sits at the confluence point of three mightiest mountain ranges in the world - the Himalayas, Karakorum and the Hindu Kush. Living conditions in this region are so adverse that according to a popular folklore only the best of friends or most bitter of enemies pay you a visit here. Buried with unfathomable layer of snow that wears a grim silence of death, only punctuated by hostile avalanches that can last for three days and hit you at a speed of 300 KMPH, Siachen was considered such an irrelevant territory that nether India nor Pakistan bothered to get into its specifics during 1972 Shimla pact. Giving a shorthand to the matter with a signature diplomatic clumsiness that would prove costly to both side in decades to come – from the NJ9842 location the boundary would proceed “thence north to the glaciers.”

Source : siachenglacier.com

After 1972, however, dynamics in this region added a new dimension to the strategic warfare in south-east Asian region. After US defense mapping agency showed this region exclusively inside Pakistan and other global cartographers followed the suit – Pakistan identified the opportunity and started issuing permits to mountaineers who went for expedition in the glacier region. This exercise of allowing mountaineering to assert a strategic interest came to be known as Oropolitics. Once Indian Army got a sniff of the development it moved its focus to the region and launched occasional riposte to counter claim its stake at the region.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

These scattered incidents always had the makings of an escalated conflict in the region and the tipping point came in 1984. Indian Army was informed that its Pakistani counterpart was ordering Arctic-weather gears from a UK based supplier. It didn’t take Army to put two and two together and it moved swiftly to position its personnel at all strategic points under an operation code named Meghdoot. Indian Army occupied all of 70 KMs of Siachen glacier and all three western passes to the glacier - Sia La, Bilafond La, and Gyong La. When Pakistani Army arrived at the Glacier it realized that it was beaten by Indian Army to this point by at least four weeks. And thus began a tale of conflict between two neighbors to occupy this region.

Cost and returns of this conflict have often been questioned by international commentators and sometimes even by Army personnel at either sides. Stephen P. Cohen, a South Asian expert, famously termed the conflict as “a struggle of two bald men over a comb” elaborating that there was nothing to fight over there “beside rock and ice”. India and Pakistan spend $300M and $200M respectively to maintain their outposts along the frontiers of conflict. More than 2700 Army men have lost their lives in this region ever since conflict began in 1984. Many more of these losses are attributed to treacherous living conditions in the region than to actual combat related losses. Indian government – after acknowledging extreme terrains and weather conditions, decided to recognize climate related deaths as combat deaths. Siachen is the only reason to get this exception.

An Indian army mountaineer on Indira Col above Siachen glacier in 1981. " (Souce : bbc.com)

Indian army has conventionally occupied higher points and so its supply routes are longer and more inaccessible. Adding to what is already a challenging and costly occupation. Weather conditions are extreme. Human body is simply not capable of staying at these heights and temperature beyond certain duration – and Army men staying here often suffer from nausea and weight loss. Snowfall can reach up to four to five feet in one go and soldiers have to keep shoveling the snow during the snowfall lest they be buried inside it. Army helicopters have to routinely fly beyond their operational safe limits to drop ration and reinforcement to these outposts. Pakistan Army has similar challenges, if not worse, to negotiate as well. On 7^th April 2012, Pakistani side witnessed worst weather related calamity when 129 of its Army personnel and 11 civilians were buried alive under a violent avalanche. None of the bodies could be recovered after four weeks of digging operation jointly conducted by Pakistani and Indian sides. Some estimates put the depth of snow piled up due to the avalanche at over 80 feet.

These terrible losses of human lives – mostly because of extraneous reasons – has caused both sides to revisit their occupation of the region. Indian side is sitting atop a strategically advantageous position and is generally reluctant to withdraw mutually after getting a rude shock in Kargil. Given that any such negotiation is one of the moving pieces of larger geo-political positioning, and how Indian and Pakistani relationship is driven by deep distrust rather than mutual assurance for official declarations, nobody expects a definitive retreat from either side in the near future. But what stands out amid all these sordid and unnecessary defense hedging is the loyalty and courage displayed by Army personnel deployed in these outposts. Fighting the fury of nature and hostility of enemies, their commitment is the centerpiece of country’s security narrative.

We salute their supreme dedication and sacrifice for fellow citizens. (Watch this video)

What is your view for Siachen Glacier? How India and Pakistan should move forward for larger interests of the citizens and the country?

What is the best practical solution for Siachen?

(Written by Manish Jha, an Alumnus of IIIT Hyderabad and currently working with Microsoft as Program Manager. He is also associated with a social initiative 'Joy of Reading')

Read More

India, World, Non Aligned Movement (NAM) and its Significance in the Current Scenario

The ideologies of Nehruvian idealism are wondering with the non-aligned movement. He believed  that cooperation  and  mutual assistance  are possible in the international relations and he hold such a great  uniqueness of Panchsheel, it coupled  a situation in which  Indian  foreign  policy was formed  on the pillars of hopes and aspirations with the edges of cooperation as its fuel. The conflicting world situation after the world war made an arena of cold war and power blocks on the basis of conflicting ideologies and it prevailed a situation that both the power blocks wanted to add the newly emerged nations to their stocks.

Pic courtesy : peopleint.wordpress.com

Non align movement can be considered  as a vigor of India to pertain with cooperation rather than mutual  aggression,  she wanted to be the part of solutions for increasing problems  of the third world, thus she adopted  the policies of non-alignment with an embankment  that India won't  be the part  of power blocks and she believed  that power blocks are huge curses to entire community  because  it can plank a new war at any time. Thus the policy of India  concerned  with non-alignment  has a uniqueness  that it was well oriented with the sagas of planning as well as social commitments , India got freedom  and the drain  prevailed in the colonial era made India more poor and being the part of power politics  will  be a huge bottleneck for her development. Thus the adopted ways had the notion that India can have good engagements with both the power blocks and earn benefits from both of them.

Pic courtesy : www.flickr.com

Thus the policy pertained by India gained a lot of concurrence due to its pragmatism that India earned benefits from both of the powers and at the same time she had a lean to the USSR. The Indian foreign policy heard a lot of views that it is an aloofness from the international order and is like sitting on the fence. The policies  adopted  by her was not neutral or immoral because she adopted  the ways to deviate from the power blocks  and not from the international community and it can be seen that, in a lot  of situations  in which,  India  played  critical roles and she is very  active  with the international  order concerning third world.

Pic courtesy : www.stratfor.com

The collapse of Soviet Union made the notion of NAM in a special direction that the power blocks got ended and the bi-polar world order was shifted to the unilateral principles and due to Indian foreign policy in the past, it made India in the pillars of eroded segment. Thus the power politics ended and certain scholars believed that the relevance of NAM is over with the paramount notion of America. 

Pic courtesy : www.slideshare.net

The relevance of NAM will persist till there exists a situation in which poverty triumph, war exists, and such problems in the world arena persist. Thus the notion  of Non align movement  will not be shifted  to just power politics , it have a wide connotations  due to the increasing hurdles  of the world  arena and it can play a crucial  role  with that. The changed world order made the NAM to face various types of interference  that these days changed with the sagas of terrorism,  trans national  crimes,  fusion  of multinational corporations, cyber-crimes etc. coupled that  NAM will have to face  all of these rather than  just traditional anticipations.

Pic courtesy : globalhistorycullen.wikispaces.com

What is the relevance of NAM in the world of multi polarity? These  days have a significance  that  the  main player of it is currently a giant in economic as well  as military  ways and had a shift in the policies  of her from traditional  ways to  more concentrated ways on the bilateral  relations  with America with a happy ends for both and the NAM have  a special role in this scenario because, it can play a major  role in the world  of multiple choices of power.

Pic courtesy : voiceof.india.com

How much significant is NAM for world peace and mutual growth?

How India can play role of true world leader as the largest democracy of the world?

(Written by Vineeth V, an IPS aspirant pursuing graduation in Political Science at Trivandrum,Kerala)

Read More

Government of India Convenes All Party Meet on UPSC Civil Services CSAT Exam Issue !!

According to the latest release from Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Government today discussed the issues concerning the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) with leaders of various parties in both the Houses of Parliament. The meeting was convened by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu in pursuance of the assurance given by the Government during the last Budget session of Parliament. Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitely, Minister of State in PMO Dr.Jitendra Singh, Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs –Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi besides leaders of 26 parties represented in both the Houses of Parliament.

Shri Rajnath Singh and Shri Venkaiah Naidu said that the CSAT issue is a sensitive one and the Government would like to have the benefit of considered views of all parties.

A detailed presentation was made by Secretary (DoPT) on the origin and evolution of the civil services examination over the years being conducted every year by the Union Public Services Commission. Dr.Jitendra Singh sought the views of different parties on five proposals. This followed expression of views by leaders of various parties, who said they need to consult their party colleagues in the sensitive matter.

Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu informed the leaders that they will be circulated a detailed note in the matter in three days and suggested that may furnish their views in two weeks on the following five issues:

1. On continuation of English Language Comprehension Skills in Paper – II
2. Reduced weightage of analytical component
3.To make Paper-II qualifying
4. Revert back to Optional Paper
5. Any other alternative. Bottom of Form

Several leaders complimented the Government for its approach in the sensitive matter.

Let’s hope for the best outcome from this consultation among the different political parties of the India. We hope that this approach would solve all the problems in a positive way for the benefits of the larger mass logically at the same time maintaining the great legacy of UPSC Civil Services Exam.

What are your view/suggestions for the above mentioned 5 points?

( Official release from PIB )

Read More

On the Special Occasion of Prime Minister Mr Modi's Visit to ASEAN Summit : India - Vietnam - ASEAN Relationship !

Vietnam is a nation which very realistically fits into the very famous proverb of " देखन में छोटन लगे घाऊ करे गंभीर".

India's-Look-East-Policy

We could not even guess, without reading its history that this is the same small nation which under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh forced the imperialist French to leave from Vietnam’s territory in 1954. Stories do not end here. Under the cloud of Cold War and the rivalry between ideologies of the U.S. and the Soviet Russia, there happened a war between politically divided North and South Vietnam in 1965 which is famous by the name of the "Vietnam War". The conflict between the two sides intensified, with heavy intervention from the United States; they supported South Vietnam. Due to wonderful strategies the war ended with a North Vietnamese victory in 1975 and severe loss to the U.S.A. Again, the China, too, had to retreat its forces after defeat in 1979, when it tried to incur into Vietnam to reinforce expansionist agenda. 

But for India, there have always been a very special space. The foundation for India-Vietnam bilateral relation, in modern times, was laid by Prime Minister Nehru (India) and President Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) in 1954 when former visited Vietnam after latter’s victory against the French. India and North Vietnam established official diplomatic relations in 1972 and have since maintained friendly relations. India supported Vietnam's independence from France, opposed American involvement in the Vietnam War, and supported unification of Vietnam.  In fact, India was the only non-communist country to recognize the unified Vietnam.

Understanding China-Vietnam angle is important for understanding India-Vietnam relation

There are overlapping territorial disputes in the South China Sea (SCS) involving both island and maritime claims among seven nations in the region: Brunei, People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. But the dispute between China and Vietnam is over the Spratly and the Paracel islands, as well as maritime boundaries.

Why China is so much assertive to expand its territory in the South China Sea?

SCS is economically, geopolitically and strategically important. It is one of the richest sea in the world and are abundant with oil and gas, flora, fauna, coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, fish etc. 10% of annual global fisheries catchment is in this region. The sea lane running between the Paracel and the Spratly Islands is used by oil tankers moving from the Persian Gulf to Japan as well as by warships en route from the Indian Ocean to the pacific. Security is a concern in SCS for regional countries such as Vietnam, China, Philippines, Malaysia, as well as the extra regional countries, including India.

United-Nations-Convention-On-Law-of-Sea-UNCLOS

China's territorial claim and UNCLOS

China has been trying to put new claims and rules often, like it imposed New Fishing Rules on Jan, 2014 to exercise jurisdiction over all fishing activities in the disputed area. 

Why India is excited about this region? 

India has:

·  Vital maritime interests for economic and security reasons. Around 55% of India’s trade in the Asia-Pacific transits through this region. This area is critical for naval ship.

· Strong trade relations with ASEAN and are further strengthening.

· Very few land routes from the Indian Subcontinent and provide little facility for commerce. Its prosperity is dependent upon sea routes.

Any conflict in SCS will pose a threat to regional and international security.

India-Vietnam Angle

Both have suffered aggression from China in the past and had good relations with the former Soviet Union. Security ties between the two countries have always been close but they began accelerating in the field of defense few years ago when the Chinese objected to Vietnam inviting India to prospect for oil in a contested portion of the South China Sea.

Of late Vietnam and India have also entered into a trilateral grouping with Japan to safeguard their interests against hegemonic attitude. Vietnam has agreed to more intensive defense exchanges with Washington and stepped up security cooperation with Japan, Australia and a number of its neighbors in South East Asia. 

India uses its military relationship with Vietnam to apply counter pressure on China for its support for Pakistan. Strategic community of India views it as a twin track Indian diplomacy in Asia; build on the new economic possibilities with China but don’t allow Beijing to define the limits of India’s partnership with Japan and Vietnam.

Vietnam-China trade is 10 times higher than India-Vietnam trade; which is clearly an indication of strong economic engagement even if there are political differences.

Other reasons for cooperation with this very small nation geographically

Cooperation on international fora

• India and Vietnam cooperate with each other in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) where Vietnam is a member and India an observer. Vietnam is giving political assistance to India in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RECP) negotiations (Negotiations started in 2013 and is expected to be completed by 2015) launched by ASEAN and its 6 FTA (Australia + China + India + Japan + Korea + New Zealand) partners.
• Vietnam has supported India's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
• In the 2003 joint declaration, India and Vietnam envisaged creating an "Arc of Advantage and Prosperity" in Southeast Asia.
• India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam established the Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC) in 2000. They emphasized four areas of cooperation, which are tourism, culture, education, and transportation linkage in order to be solid foundation for future trade and investment cooperation in the region. 
• The U.S. led TPP-Trans Pacific Partnership, which is under negotiation with 11 other countries (Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam), has left out the two big economies of India and China. The experience of Vietnam and other friendly nation of India will be of great Importance for India.
  

Economic Cooperation

• India granted the "Most Favoured Nation" status to Vietnam in 1975, but it was not beneficial because the economy of both the countries were closed. In 1986, the Vietnam’s government initiated a series of economic and political reforms which began Vietnam's path towards integration into the world economy.  In 1992, India and Vietnam established extensive economic ties, including oil exploration, agriculture and manufacturing. The relations between the two countries, especially defense ties, benefited extensively from India's Look East policy. 
• Since 2000, Vietnam's economic growth rate has been among the highest in the world. Its successful economic reforms resulted in its joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007. But India- Vietnam trade got boost only after India operationalised the goods portion of the Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN in 2010, and could expand further when the services and investment aspects come into effect.  Indian corporate are eyeing upon the economic opportunities created in Vietnam in Agriculture, Power, IT, pharmaceutical etc. 
  

Non-Strategic but Important Cooperation (To strengthen Soft Power)

• Various areas of research cooperation have been identified in the fields of biotechnology, material science, ICT, ocean development and oceanographic research, pharmaceuticals and medical research. Both sides have initiated a Joint Project for leather research and tannery waste recycling between Central Leather Research Institute of India and the Vietnam Leather Research Institute. 
• Vietnam has been a large recipient of training programmes under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. General Cultural Scholarship Scheme (GCSS), Educational Exchange Programme (EEP), Mekong Ganga Cooperation Scholarship Scheme (MGCSS).
• India is providing English Language Training, Entrepreneurship Development, Vocational Training etc.
• A proposal to set up a Centre for Satellite Tracking and Data Reception and an Imaging facility in Vietnam under ASEAN-India Cooperation mechanism is under consideration. The Centre will be fully funded by India and ISRO will be the implementing agency. It will utilise data provided by Indian remote sensing satellites and harness it for multiple developmental applications.

  

  India's-Look-East-Policy Export dynamics

To increase People to People Contact

• India has decided to open a Cultural Centre in Hanoi in 2014. The Centre will strengthen India’s cultural presence in Vietnam and constitute an important dimension of the friendly partnership between the two countries. 
• The Archaeological Survey of India will execute a conservation and restoration project at the UNESCO heritage site of "My Son" in Vietnam. The project will highlight the old linkages of the Hindu Champa civilization between India and Vietnam.  
• India has accorded visa-on-arrival facility for Vietnamese nationals with effect from January 1, 2011. With the initiation of daily flight on Nov. 5, 2014, connecting Ho Chin Minh City with Delhi and Mumbai via Bangkok, the people to people contact will get a boost through tourism and business linkages. 

Recent Development (After the New Govt. came to power in India)

The President Pranab Mukherjee went to Vietnam just few days before the Chinese Premier Xi Jinping came to India. This step was perceived as strategic one. Seven agreements were signed in the presence of visiting Indian and Vietnamese Presidents. These included the air services agreement between Jet Airways and Air Vietnam, an agreement for oil exploration in two additional blocks in Vietnam's territory between OVL (the overseas arm of oil major ONGC) and Petro Vietnam, line of credit of $100 million.

During Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s two-day visit to India, the Indian govt. operationalised the $100 million line of credit (established during Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Hanoi) for the purchase of four Offshore Patrol Vessels. The latest MoU will further solidify India’s assistance on vessel construction and submarine training to Vietnam’s forces as part of the Strategic Partnership signed between the two countries in 2007.

Few of the several existing agreements, related to defense, are as following.

·   Since India has very good experience of operation and maintenance of Russian submarines and other equipment, it is providing training support for Vietnam's Kilo-class submarines (Which is a Russian made submarine and was made available to Vietnam with India's help.). India and Vietnam are now considering joining hands in maintenance and co-production.

·  India had agreed to assist Vietnam in training its forces for UN peacekeeping, establish a foreign language center, and exchange information on their navies and air forces.  In return, Vietnam had offered to provide facilities to repair, maintain and fuel Indian naval ships.

China's-String-of-pearls 

Conclusion

India is already encircled by the string of pearls of China. So, India's focus on its 'Look East' policy to engage with countries in the Chinese periphery becomes inevitable due to pragmatism. As it is clear from the signal of honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach, economy should remain in the forefront of diplomacy of India. Two big brothers: India and China will have to come together for building a greater Peaceful and Prosperous Asian Community. Though India’s relations with Vietnam provide a basis for a larger Indian role in East Asia, it is only in the direction of building that community not to offend China.

Skill for writing good essays/articles is very much needed in every individual especially for IAS aspirants. There are several good professional online essay providers available. You may take help of experts/alumni of Cambridge University, Yale University etc via 911essaywriting.com .

How ASEAN and SAARC countries can grow together and perform effectively at every front of the important issues of world?

What are the main problems of ASEAN and SAARC countries? How it can be resolved?

How India can play bigger and effective role for growth and prosperity of Indian subcontinent, ASEAN and SAARC countries?

(Written by Sujit Bharti, an alumnus of IIT Bhubaneshwar)

Read More