COUNTRY BLOCS:

TRANSCONTINENTA COUNTRIES: RUSSIA, TURKEY (EUROPE ASIA), EGYPT (AFRICA ASIA): BRICS AND IBSA BOTH MEMBER:

  • Strategic Co operation. (Strategic partner. Shares strategic tech. E.g, N Submarine Akula. Buyer seller –> Joint production. E.g, FGFA. But delay E.g, Vikramditya aircraft carrier delivery). Economic Co operation. (OVL invested in Sakhalin 1 & Bought Imperial Energy. Largest rough diamond Market. NLL Issue). Science & Tech. (Human Space Flight Project. Joint student satellite Youthsat).
    • Nuclear Liability Law 2010. (Liabilities are tougher than International Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damages). Ukarine crisis. (India’ didn’t support West Sanctions, as not UN approved. => Russian pivot to east i.e, Diversifying oil & military exports. E.g, Mi 35 Helicopter sale to Pakistan). 

CONTINENTAL OR SEMI CONTINENTAL:

INDIA AND NORTH AMERICA:

NORTH AMERICA:

  • Economic Co operation. (GJ NPP. Eased Visa process). Cultural Co operation. (Singh Obama 21st CE Knowledge Initiatives). Conclusion. (Own priorities like Iran & Afghanistan, limits US support. Thus, Ultimate nature of relation an open question). Canada. (Optimistic about nuclear deals).
    • Obama visit. ($ 4 billion investment. ($ 2 billion RE, 1 SME). NLL Logjam ends. (N Risk Management Fund 1500 Cr, 50% Gov, 50% 5 Public sector insurance firms). Support: NSG, MTCR, Australian Group & Wassenaar Arrangements). DTTI i.e, Defense Tech Trade Initiatives. (10 year. 4 Joint projects including Raven (UAV)). Smart Cities MoU. Ease L1 B Visas process). Japan opposition blocks Indo US Civilian Nuclear deal. (Japan wants nation specific data. If breaks self moratorium, return of all Japan equipments.  India resists, as Imported material already under IAEA Safeguards). AERB 1983 Issues. (Regulates Civil N Facility Safety. Depends on DAE for all practical purposes).  NSG.(Ensures Civilian N trade not diverted)).  

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA:

LATIN AMERICA:

  • Trade Issues. (Mercosur. Geographical distance, historical prolvicity to US & EU, inroads by others like China). Brazil. (Dealt under BRICS). 

INDIA AND EUROPE: ASEM BOTH MEMBER:

  • Asia Europe Boundary. (Turkish straits, Ural & Cacasus).   
    • India EU/ FTA/ BTIA. (Began 2007: Liberalize. EU Side issues. (Revolving EU presidency, > Recession focus on TTIP). India Side issue. (Lack of Law clarity on BTIA and Gov procurement). US Demand issue. (Reduce tarrif on CBU, Wine & Spirit & dairy products (India agreed) etc. < Reduce Agri market + EU heavy subsidizes agri products. TRIPS + IPR. E.g, data exclusivity. Non Complaint Violation e.g, Switzerland). India Demand issue. (GATS Mode 1 & Mode 4 liberalization. Lacks Common Visa => Restricts Professional mobility, also Sectoral caps). Ban on Alphanso mango (lifted later) & 4 vegetables worsened situation. > TTP need expediate it)
    • India UK. (Economic. (Jointly develop BMEC). India Germany. (Defense Co operation. Largest trade partner in Europe. To attract investment Special Fast Track Clearance Mechanism by DIPP, only after Japan. To invest > 1 Billion for Green Energy Corridor, > 1 Billion Euro for Solar Projects. Green Corridor & FAIR Project. Blue Card initiative i.e, longer stay after degree completion)).
    • India France. (India France. (Strategic Partner 1998. Euro 2 Billion investment. Airbus to enhance outsourcing 5 times. 1st Country to enter Civil Nuclear Co operation > NSG Waiver. Supports UNSC Membership. Defense. (Scorpene Submarine & Mirrage figher aircraft. Rafale deal: India to buy 36/ 126 MMRCA figher plane in flyaway condition asap). Science & technology. (CNES Space Agency. Liquid propulsion tech. SARAL Lift). Nuclear Co operation. (Cleared logjam over price, legal & technical issues. EPR by Areva at Jaitpur). Asia Europe Meet. ASEM 1996. (Covers 2 Organization i.e, ASEAN & EU).

INDIA AND AFRICA: INDIA AFRICA FORUM SUMMIT:

  • Asia Africa boundary. (Suez isthmus. Includes Trans Continental Egypt). Political Co operation. (G 4 support 2 UNSC seats. India Africa Forum Summit). Economic Co operation. ($ 80 billion trade –> $200 billion by 2020. Co invested in Oil & Gas. Developing infra e.g, rail & road. Future destination e.g, IT. Set up FTL by Ministry of Food Processing). Cultural Co operation. (At Forum Summit pledged > 100 institutions in Africa). India Africa.  (Energy security i.e, 2nd Oil supplier). Strength. (Historical links. Diaspora. Both Agrigrian,  Private sector willingness to invest etc)).
    • India Egypt. (Political. (Wants E BRICS. Huge Oil & Gas sector investment potential). India Mauritus. (Revised DTAA => Limitation of Benefit (LoB) clause). African crisis. (Rawanda genocide. South Sudan crisis. (Presidential guards). Nigeria. (Boko Haram). Mali. (Ansar Dine). AQIM (Al Quida in Islamic Maghreb)).

INDIA AND ASIA: INCLUDES TRANS CONTINETAL RUSSIA AND TURKEY:

MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES:

  • Countries. (Egypt. (SIT i.e, Syria. Iran. Turkey). (Iraq. Saudi Arabia. UAE. Oman & Qatar), (Isreal, Palestine). Thus, West Asia + Egypt. Thus, Gulf Countries + (SIT i.e, Syria, Isreal, Turkey) + (Isreal, Palestine) + Egypt). 

WEST ASIA: IRAN, UAE AND OMAN IOR ARC MEMBER:

  • West Asia importance. (Oil imports. WANA Diaspora). India Iran. (Political. (Afghanistan & some WANA player. Anti Taliban). Chahbahar port. (On Makran coast, Sistan Baluchistan Province. Mainline Asia Africa SLOC => 40% Global oil passes. One of most strategic location => K/a Golden gate to landlocked CIS Countries and Afghanistan. Much closer than Bandar Abbas. => Save Cost & time. Road & rail to provide shortest access to Afghanistan from Nimroz province, also W/t Pakistan dependency. Chahbahar Faraj Bam Rail i.e, From Bam (Afgan border —> Use Zaranj Delaram road. Links Afghan Garland highway. Extension possible to Tajikistan & Uzbekistan. Build rail: Chabahar to Zahedan,  Sistan Baluchistan Province capital. i.e, connected with Iran Main railway. Also, joins INSCTC i.e, International North South Transport Corridor => Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan & beyond access. Challenges: Sanction, Afghan issue. Resources. Need: Revive LNG Agreement 2005, 25 years supply 2009. Counter China’s Gwadar project. India to establish urea plant in Chahbahar FTZ). Iran & P5 + 1 agreements. (Dilute U Enriched stockpiles. Eliminate 2/3rd Centrifuges. And, allow IAEA inspect. => Prevent nuclear proliferation, in neighbor. Thus, potential N Weapon race. In turn India will re enter global trade => Oil price reduction. Also, supplied on favourable terms, even allowed some payment in Rupees. Boost to Chabahar project. Need to revive LNG Agreement for 25 year supply > 2009. Iranian Pakistan India pipeline boost).  
    • India Iraq. (Afghan player. Oil source. Joint Urea plant). India Palestine. (Backs Non member status. Criticized Isreal’s HR violation). India Isreal. (Largest arms market. Spike ATGM). Gulf Countries. (7 bordering Persian Gulf). Strategic Co operation. (Strategic partnership. Defense Agreement). India Arabia. (Jungle Warfare College. Training forces fight Al Quida. Nitaqat 3 month extension. Abu Jindal deported a/t Pakistan wishes. Establish joint fertilizer plants). 
    • Iran N deal Impact. (Iran to dilute 98% Enriched U, Eliminate 2/3rd Centrifuge & Allow IAEA inspection => Prevent N weapon in neighbour => Possible N Arms race. P 5 +1 allow Global trade => Energy Security as 2 nd largest supplier before Sanctions. Provided Oil at favorable price, even accepted some payment in Rupees. Also, enhanced Oil flow => < Prices. Push to Chabahar & Iran Pakistan Indian pipeline).  
    • India Arabia. (Delhi & Riyad Declaration 2006 & 2010. Strategic. Largest Oil Supplier.Need: Joint Gulf of Aden patrols). 
    • Iran Iraq.  (2nd Oil reserves + OPEC. Strategic. Buyer seller —> Joint exploration, refineries, fertilizer plants etc)).

CENTRAL ASIA: SCO BOTH MEMBER:

  • Strategic Co operation. (Strategic partner. Pressure point a/t China. In Tajikistan has AF base. Central Asian e network, hub & spokes model, RATS). Economic Co operation. (TAPI). Energy. (Oil & gas: Caspean sea. HPP: Amu & Syr Darya. Coal: Qaraganda. Uranium: Uzbekistan & Kazakistan)). PM Central Asia Visit. (Overall trade $ 1.6 Billion. Kazakhstan. (Supply 5MT U till 2019). Uzbekistan. (2 MT U)).

INDIA AND SOUTH ASIA:

  • Done.

INDIA SOUTH EAST ASIA: MCG: ASEAN SUMMIT LEVEL PARTNER INDIA:

  • South East Asia. (Maritime SEA. (Indonesia, East Malysia, Phillipines etc). Mainland SEA. (K/a Ino China. Countries i.e, Myanmmar, Laos, Combodia, Thailand, Vietnam, West Malaysia). MCG excludes Malaysia). Strategic Co operation. (Trans Asian railway i.e, Caspean Sea to Camrah bay). 
    • Political Co operation. (Strategic 2007. Signed G 4 draft. Historical. Extended neighborhood). Economic Co operation. (). Vietnam. (Strategic partner. Pressure points a/t China. Offer Brahmos Mini. Right to use Nha Tarang. Oil exploration in Phu Kanh Basin & SCS. LoC for patrol boat. PRAM Grant). India Indonesia.  (Historical. Strategic 2005. Bali bombings 2002. Malacca Strait joint patrols.  Tsunami aid 2004. Palm oil). Cultural exchange: ITEC Scholarship. ASI Conserving Cham civilization). Asia, > regionalism, > 76 FTAs). Nine Dotted Line.  (U shaped line. China & Taiwan claim 90% SCS. Biggest potential flash point).
    • Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). (Started May 2013, to Harmonize 10 ASEAN + 1 FTA (6)). World’s largest Group ~ 45% Population. Coverage: Trade in G&S, Investment,  IP etc. India’s Service strength => Want remove TBT, SPS. Since previous FTA not benefitted India much, low ambition. Proposed 40% tarrif liberalization i.e, too little. Also, Lobby A/t Concessions & Some countries especially want E Commerce trade. Recognize members individual cirumstances E.g, development level. => WTO Consistent. Help engage ASEAN + 5 Nations).  TPP.  (Pivot to Asia economic Component. Stringent Rules. E.g, labor rules, Env protection & IPR i.e, TRIPS + Standard. Reduce Generic medicine market for TRIPS + 40% trade. Most damaging, reduced inflows. Abolish 98% tarrif reduction => Trade diversion. Service clause will reduce Outsourcing to Phillipine, Vietnam etc. As TPP enacted 1st, some clause may enter RCEP through Common members. But, will reduce China Aggressiveness. TPP Members will ensure SLOCs free trade. India should expedite EU FTA). 
    • Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project.  (Cabinet enhanced outlay. Delay 2013 –> 2016: Geographical i.e, terrain. Political i.e, Soft state. Economic i.e, Rostov model. Technical issues. Approval & acquisition issues. Benefits. Strategic: In case of conflict, China may block Siliguri Corridor => need alternate road.  Soft diplomacy. Pressure point against China. Energy security). Economic. (NER Access to sea. Free movement of G&S, capital, tech etc. Reduce distance => Save time & cost)). Cultural. (Free flow of people, ideas etc)). North East India. (Partition => Geographical Isolation. Some initiatives. (Kunming Initiative i.e, Link SW China). SARDP i.e, Connect capitals, district HQ by >= 2 lane. Asian Highway Project, dormant >= 40 years. Smaller ATR Plane 2002). NE Industrial & Investment Policy 2007 => Whole region SEZ. Pasighat Declaration 50 GW HPP. Even if no exportable good, can export services). 

EAST ASIA:

  • Countries. (East Asia includes China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia etc. India China. (Done). India Japan. (Institutional. (Relations raise to Strategic level. PM Meet. 2 + 2 Dialogue i.e, Defense & Finance Secretary. India Japan Korea Trilateral. India US Japan Trilateral. India US Japan Australia Quadilatral initiative. Important player: East Asia & Asia Pacific). Signed CEPA 2011, reduce tarrif in 10 years. Invest in CBIC, DMIC. IIT Hyderabad, Mumbai Metro. $ 50 b Currency Swap Agreement. Help establish Electronic Hardware Township. Rare Earth Metal Pact (10% demand). Bilateral Social Security Prog).  Weak in Hardware:  India’s Electronics policy i.e, $400 billion investments in decade).  India South Korea. (Narshimha 1993. Korea, India & Japan Trilateral. Special Strategic Partnership. 2 + 2 diplomacy. CEPA 2010, review by 2016). India Mongolia . (Historical. Act East part. Strategic partner. Supports UNSC. Defense & Civil Nuclear Co operation. LoC $ 1Billion => target China periphery). 

INDIA AND OCEANIA: BOTH IOR ARC MEMBER:

  • Countries. (Micronesia, Polynesia & Melanasia & Australasia i.e, Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea island & neighboring PO islands). India Australia. (Strategic partner 2009. Defense co operation. APEC Important player). Economic. (Sign CEPA by 2015. Civil N Co operation Agreement 2014. Largest Gold & Chick pea market). Cultural. (2nd largest Student destination).  
    • Forum for India Pacific Island Co operation (FIPIC). (Strategic: Expand PO Presence => Act East Part. ~ SLoC. Pressure point against China. UNSC). Economic. (New Space Research Station & Satellite Monitoring Station in Fiji. Thus, track Satellite w/t Dependency. Low Cost Soft power. Complementarity. ~ Agrigarian i.e, India’s capacity even better than Europe & China. Converging interests)). India Seychelles.  (Blue Economy Co operation. I.e, Use Marine resources for development & reduce environment risk. Conform ISA. Help: data, tech & expertise exchange).
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