ASEAN
Riva Ganguly, the Secretary (East) of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, virtually took part in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Senior Officials’ Meeting with 27 counterparts from the grouping on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the representatives discussed “ARF activities and exchanges over the past year and deliberated on the future plans and efforts under the ARF.” In particular, they spoke of enhancing collaboration on several regional and international issues, including “the COVID-19 pandemic, terrorism, cybersecurity, developments in the South China Sea, Myanmar, and [the] Korean Peninsula.”
According to a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs, Riva Ganguly “expressed India’s appreciation for ASEAN-led architecture and the chairmanship of Brunei Darussalam for advancing peace, security, and cooperation in the region.” Moreover, she underscored the importance of working together on “convergences between the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI) and Indo-Pacific policies announced by several ARF countries.” While highlighting the non-traditional threats posed to international security, she spoke of the need to collaborate on “the threat posed by terrorism and the challenges of cybersecurity.”
In June, India co-chaired the ARF workshop on “United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea”. It will also lead other sessions on the “Law of the Sea and Fisheries” and the “International Ship and Port Facility Security Code” this year.
The meeting was convened to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic which has disproportionately affected ASEAN countries and India. Moreover, the dialogue is also crucial as several ASEAN members face continued territorial threats from China due to its aggression in the South China Sea. Amid its months-long standoff with China, India has also been working with several western powers to contain Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific.
ASEAN countries have always been crucial to India’s foreign policy. Since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement in 2009, trade between the two sides has expanded significantly, reaching over $87 billion and making ASEAN India’s fourth-largest trading partner. Although the onset of the pandemic led to a sudden deterioration in trade, reviving relations to the pre-pandemic levels is a priority for both the ASEAN countries and India.
Bhutan
The Third India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks were conducted virtually on June 28 with Rahul Chhabra, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, representing the Indian side and Foreign Secretary Kinga Singye leading the Bhutanese delegation. The talks are critical for India and Bhutan as they conduct an extensive review of their bilateral development partnership.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs statement said, “Government of India has committed Rs 4,500 crore for the implementation of development projects and Rs 400 crores for the transitional Trade Support Facility during Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan (2018 - 2023).” Consequently, under the 12th Five Year Plan, 77 large and intermediate projects and 524 Small Development Projects (SDPs)/ High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) were initiated.
Meanwhile, the Bhutanese side expressed their gratitude for India’s assistance in the socio-economic growth of Bhutan. In addition, the two sides also committed to launching other projects in “road infrastructure, water management, industrial parks and COVID-19 management.”
India is a crucial ally of Bhutan in the region, and the countries are joint at the hip through their collaboration on foreign policy and defence. For instance, an Indian Military team trains the Royal Bhutan Army and the Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan. However, trade continues to be the strongest thread holding them together.
The India-Bhutan Trade and Transit Agreement of 1972 governs Bhutan’s trade relations with India and was renewed in 2016. The total value of goods traded between the two sides amounts to about Rs 9,000 crore, with Indian products accounting for 84% of Bhutan’s imports. On the other hand, 78% of goods exported from Bhutan are directed towards Indian markets. Moreover, goods worth Rs 1,500 crore from several other countries, including Bangladesh, also come to Bhutan through West Bengal. Bhutan exports traditional dresses and ornaments, honey, ginger and milk products to India and imports vegetables, food grain, medicines, textiles and tea from the country.
Zimbabwe
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan conducted a virtual meeting with Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Dr Frederick Shava on Monday to discuss several bilateral, regional, and international issues besides strengthening their collaboration in trade and investment. The meeting also featured talks on enhancing cooperation in health and energy.
According to the Zimbabwean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, “The two Ministers acknowledged the cordial relations existing between the two countries. They agreed to continue to work together to deepen economic cooperation further.” Moreover, the press release stated, “India appreciated long-standing support it received from Zimbabwe especially at multilateral fora. They also agreed to mutually support each other on issues of mutual interests at the international fora.”
During the discussions, the Indian minister called on Zimbabwe to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, launched in 2019 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw enhanced cooperation between India and Zimbabwe, with the former providing several essential medicines and medical equipment, including ambulances and vaccines, to the African nation. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, supported India’s call for a waiver of patents at the World Trade Organization.
Palau
On the same day, Muraleedharan also conducted a virtual meeting with Palau’s Vice President and Minister of State, Uduch Sengebau Senior, to talk about the need to enhance cooperation on “climate action renewable energy, blue economy and sustainable management of global marine commons, capacity building, strengthening of healthcare and economic recovery from COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs statement mentioned that the two sides “reviewed the progress made in our bilateral relations and the ongoing development cooperation between India and Palau, including through the Forum for India Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC).” In this regard, they discussed the need to “broaden and deepen engagements” to further a “secure, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
Greece
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias during a two-day trip to Athens that concluded on Sunday. During the discussions, the first in 18 years, the Greek Foreign Minister conveyed his support to India’s vision for a “free, open, inclusive and cooperative Indo-Pacific.”
According to a joint press release, while acknowledging the “new geo-economic realities” in the Indo-Pacific, both ministers expressed their commitment to “ensuring connectivity and growth for all in the region.” The reference to the Indo-Pacific is an indication of Greece’s support to India against China’s growing aggression in the region. Moreover, it is particularly critical because Greece is one of China’s key allies in the European Union for its Belt and Road Initiative due to its strategic location between Asian and European countries.
Another critical win for India was Greece’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance, a 121-country grouping created by India and France. Both ministers agreed that “this will assist the two countries in the realisation of the energy goals set by the respective governments to make renewable energy a significant part of the energy supply.”
Jaishankar’s visit to Athens was a part of his two-nation visit to Greece and Italy, which began on Friday. In Italy, he participated in the G20 ministerial meeting. The meeting seeks to secure closer ties with members of the European Union, including Luxembourg, Denmark, and Italy. Moreover, these individual meetings are also crucial because any Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India will require each member’s approval. Therefore, the recent meetings act as a new push towards India’s aim to enhance diplomatic relations with the bloc and its members.
Indian Diplomacy: Weekly Round-Up (26 June - 2 July, 2021)
This week, Indian authorities convened several meetings with officials from Greece, Bhutan, and Zimbabwe, among others.
July 2, 2021
SOURCE: DAINIK BHASKAR