(As the UPSC Personality Test progresses, here are answers to 10 questions on international affairs. Questions and answers are for the benefit of IFS aspirants preparing for the remaining interviews)
1. How do you describe yourself?
I have been a highly motivated and studious person throughout my school and engineering studies. I have broad interests, ranging from sciences to arts and literature, music and cinemas. I have a fairly good academic record. Though I am from a rural background, I hope that the IFS will give me the wings and the other tools necessary to serve India broad.
2. Why do you wish to join the IFS? As an engineer, won't your talents be more useful in the country itself?
I am quite willing to serve in the country, but I feel that my interest in international affairs can be developed in the interests of the nation if I join the IFS. Our Foreign Service needs to be expanded and equipped to use the opportunities and to meet the challenges of the times. The whole world is in a flux and India needs dedicated and skilful officers to secure our interests, whether it is development, security or the Diaspora. Technology also plays a role in diplomacy and I hope that my scientific temperament can be put to use.
3. How would you assess India’s position in the world today?
India has always played a major role in international affairs even when India was not as powerful and developed as we are today. As a leader of the nonaligned world, it took the lead in promoting decolonization, development and disarmament. Today, as a country aspiring to be an important pole in a multipolar world, we have become more assertive of our aspirations and our ability to partner major powers. The world has begun to acknowledge India’s capabilities and its potential to be a major power. But India has not been given its rightful place, commensurate with its development and strength, in the multilateral structures.
4. What are chances of India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council?
Though it is widely recognized that an expansion of the UN Security Council is essential to reflect the realities of the 21st century and there are several proposals in this regard, there is no formula today, which can command 2/3 majority of the UN General Assembly and support of the permanent members, the necessary prerequisites to amend the UN Charter. India maintains its claims, within the Group of 4, (Germany, Japan, Brazil and India), but no decision is likely to emerge in the immediate future.
5. What are the lessons of the Dokalam incident?
Since 1962, China has claimed that it has been trying to teach India a lesson that India will not be allowed to dominate Asia. The process of weakening and challenging India continued in Dokalam, where China began the construction of a road in a territory claimed by both China and Bhutan, close to the trijunction of the three countries. India deployed its forces in the area and after several weeks of confrontation, bordering on military conflict, both sides withdrew and the situation was brought under control. But the Chinese forces are still in the area and there have been reports of resumption of road construction by the Chinese. Apart from expressing displeasure over the various issues that have developed between the two countries, China was attempting to wean Bhutan away from India’s influence. While India cannot compromise on the basic issues in Dokalam, there is need for greater engagement with China.
6. What is the present state of India-US relations?
India-US relations peaked in June 2016 when India became a close defence partner of the US and the Prime Minister announced a new symphony in the relationship. But a certain amount of uncertainty crept in with the election of President Donald Trump, who is following an ultranationalist policy and a tendency to withdraw from international commitments. But the relationship has continued unaffected because of shared interests in fighting terrorism, countering China and developing economic cooperation. The US has also distanced itself from Pakistan and moved towards India for solving the problems in South Asia and Indo-Pacific.
7. Combating climate change is a priority for the world. Are recent developments satisfactory?
No, Sir. The Paris Agreement itself was a compromise and even if it was implemented, the havoc of climate change could not have been prevented. The withdrawal of the US from the Agreement has been a setback. But the other parties to the Agreement have renewed their commitment and even the US has not totally repudiated it. Individual commitments to reduce Green House Gas emissions will have to be increased in the next review and finance and technology should be transferred to assist the developing countries to use environment friendly technologies.
8. Do you think India should intervene in Maldives at this stage?
No Sir, I think a military intervention is not advisable unless the Government in power invites us as in 1988 or if large-scale violence erupts, leading to danger to the Indian citizens there or the general population. But India has to remain vigilant about twin dangers of Chinese dominance and rise of fundamentalism in Maldives. Chinese influence cannot be eliminated, but any Government in Maldives should be sensitive to India’s security concerns.
9. India-Pakistan relations are at an all-time low. What can India do to improve the situation?
India has had a policy of no dialogue with Pakistan as long as Pakistan engaged in cross-border terrorism. But we have relented from its policy occasionally to reduce tension and to eliminate conflict. The present Government did all it could to start a dialogue with Pakistan, but Pakistan insisted on its old position of resolving the core issue of Kashmir before giving up terrorism. India’s strategic strikes marked a departure in India’s policy and all dialogue processes have been suspended. Consequently, the Indian army has been given a free hand to deal with ceasefire violations on the LOC and to deal with terrorism. At the same time, the Government has appointed an interlocutor to maintain a dialogue with all sections of the Kashmiri population within the framework of the Indian Constitution. There are reports of contacts between India and Pakistan, but India cannot do much unless Pakistan has a change of heart.
10. What is your assessment of our relations with our neighbours in South Asia?
India has pursued a policy of “Neighbours First” since 1914, but for various reasons, particularly on account of Chinese and Pakistani manipulations, the policy has not had the desired results. SAARC has become hostage to Pakistan’s intransigence and has become ineffective. As a big country with several small neighbours on our border India has faced many challenges. Whether it was a policy of strict reciprocity or unilateral concessions, the neighbours had not responded well in the past. China’s policy of building a “string of pearls” around India is choking us from all sides. We have to be persistent and patient with the neighbours to build a cooperative relationship with them.
(The author has been training Civil Services aspirants at the NSS Academy of Civil Services, Thiruvananthapuram)
