Some major updates to cover in today’s Indian Foreign Policy Report are as follow:

17th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting

India recently took a momentous step, by strengthening its bilateral relations with the Republic of Vietnam through the 17th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting, centred around trade, economic, scientific, and technological cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by DR. S. Jaishakar, External Affairs Minister for the Indian Republic, and H.E. Mr Pham Binh Minh, who currently serves as both the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The meeting had two major outcomes. Within the realms of Economic and Social developments, the two representatives discussed the recent progress in the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was further aided by a discussion about the regional and international spheres of interest for the two countries. The External Affairs Ministry placed special emphasis on Prime Minister Modi’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, which focuses on self-reliance and human-centric globalization. The ministry also reasserted India’s willingness to assist Vietnam, through initiatives such as the Quick impact Projects, ITEC, PhD fellowships, and projects in water resource management. The second aspect that the two counties focused on was, strengthening their defence engagements, in line with India’s recent policy ion increasing military presence in the region. To further reinforce India’s presence at the United Nations Security Council, both countries agreed to work and collaborate closely. Lastly, the two countries decided to structure their cooperation and bilateral engagements, in line with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and ASEAN’s outlook on the Indo-Pacific. 

India-Uzbekistan Joint Projects

The first meeting of the National Coordination Committee of India-Uzbekistan Joint Projects was held on the 24th of the August, under the chairmanship of Mr Sardor Umurzakov, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade, who was assisted by the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri V. Muraleedharan. The bilateral meet was organized with the aim to review the joint projects between the two countries, which were essentially implemented under the direction of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The representatives extensively reviewed the current agreements and planned out future activities in terms of economic and trade cooperation. During the meeting, special attention was paid to the status of negotiations for concluding a Bilateral Investment Treaty, and granting mutual market access for agricultural products from both countries. There was a general sense of satisfaction and hope conveyed by the two chairs, on the current status of the projects, and the strength the completion of the same would add to the bilateral relations between the two countries. Minister of State Shri V. Muraleedharan extended an invitation to Deputy Prime Minister Mr Umurzakov to visit India as per mutual convenience.

Statement on Foreign Secretary’s visit to Dhaka

The Indian Foreign Secretary, Shri Harsh Wandhan Shringla visited Bangladesh last month. The trip carried with it significant diplomatic importance. The Foreign Secretary’s visit started off with discussions regrinding the upcoming celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Bangladeshi independence and the establishment of ties between the two neighbours. The Indian delegation also chose to use the trip to highlight the assistance provided by New Delhi to Dhaka, in combating the COVID-19 and how India organized capacity-building courses for the Bangladeshi Medical Personnel, following the conference of SAARC leaders and the meeting up of the SAARC Emergency Response Fund for COVID 19. India also used the platform to announce its intentions to launch an air bubble, to resume travel between the two nations, and propose to convene a meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission at the level of Foreign Ministers, to review all the joint projects being undertaken. Lastly, the meeting recorded discussions for the safe repatriation of displaced persons from troubled regions of the Rakhine state and looked into further strengthening defence cooperation, to bring an effective stop to cross border crime. The visit of the Foreign secretary turned out to be highly beneficial for the two countries, especially for India, given its ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ 

Diplomatic Appointments

Shri Shambhu S. Kumaran, who currently serves as the Ambassador of the Indian Republic to the Republic of Philippines has been appointed as the country’s Ambassador to both the Republic of Palau and The federal States of Micronesia. 

Conclusion

Seeing the increasing Indian footprint on the international political and socio-economic map,  one can only say that the country will have a dominant role to play in shaping the world order post the pandemic. In particular, India has focused mainly on its neighbourhood, as highlighted through its ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and the ‘Act East Policy’. During this time of uncertainty, it is India’s ability to achieve rapid and sustainable development that will ensure the country a place at the table along with the big boys. India’s Indo-Pacific vision epitomizes its desire of being a “main force”. All things being equal, it is simply the start of a decadal venture, which will see India shoulder the desires that befit the world’s biggest popularity based economy. To do this, Delhi should continually reconsider the elements of progress in progress, picture the potential outcomes that are on offer, envision the chaperon dangers and creator the new request emerging out of Asia.

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Some major updates to cover in today’s Indian Foreign Policy Report are as follow:

United Nations Economic and Social Council

On the 75th anniversary of the United Nations ECOSOC, this week, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address at the virtual gathering. This happened to be the second time, that Mr Modi had the opportunity to address the council, as he had delivered the keynote address back when the council was celebrating its 70th anniversary in the year 2015. However, this does happen to be the first opportunity the Prime Minister has had to address the gathering of member nations since India was overwhelmingly elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The summit was themed around Multilateralism post- COVID-19 and the kind of United Nations we need on the 75th anniversary.

During the address, the Prime Minister called for a reformed multilateralism with a reformed United Nations at its centre. He also stressed on India’s motto, ‘Sabkasaath, Sabkavikaas, Sabkavishwas’, that resonated with the SDG principle of leaving no one behind. The Prime Minister also used this opportunity to reflect on India’s perseverance in improving the socio-economic situation in the country. On that note, he said, “While marching forward on the path to development, we are not forgetting our responsibility towards our planet.” In terms of India’s effort in battling the virus, the Prime Minister praised the system in place by commenting, “Our grassroots health system is helping India attain one of the best recovery rates around the world, in the fight against COVID.”

A large majority of the Prime Minister’s speech revolved around International cooperation and India’s role and partnership with the ECOSOC and other international bodies. The present member states, made note of a significant impact on the global SDGs, due to India’s contribution to the improvement of socio-economic conditions and the support it provided to other developing countries. The Prime Minister also focussed on the role of the first responder that India has been carrying out in the region an example of which would be, India’s Operation Sagar, carried out in the Indian Ocean Region to provide both material and medical assistance to countries. Lastly, the Prime Minister spoke about the importance of financial inclusion and the necessity of providing housing and healthcare, by giving the example of the on-going development efforts in India, especially the ‘Swacch Bharat Abhiyan’ campaign.

Indo-Pak Relation

Relations between the two neighbours; India and Pakistan experienced a new low in the last few days as the Charge d’Affairs of Pakistan was summoned by the Indian Government, following an unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistani forces on the night of the 17th of July, 2020 in the

Krishna Ghati Sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Keeping in mind the soaring number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan which have resulted in the death of 21 Indians and have injured close to 94 civilians, has pushed India to strongly condemn the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians by the Pakistani forces. The Indian Government has also seized this opportunity to show their contempt at the subvert and continued Pakistani support for cross border terrorist infiltration into India. India has called upon Pakistan to adhere to the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding between the two countries, which requires them both to maintain peace and tranquillity along the Line of Control and the international border.

India Ideas Summit

The India Ideas Summit, being organized by the India-US Business Council, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary, had the prime Minister deliver the keynote address. The theme of this year’s summit is ‘Building a Better Future’. The summit essentially aims at developing a strategic working relationship between the United States and the Indian Republic. The summit will include both Indian and American government policymakers and state-level officials. Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, U.S Secretary of State Mr Mike Pompeo, Senator of Virginia and the co-chair of the Indian Caucus, Mr Mark Warner and the U.S ambassador to the United Nations, Ms Nikki Haley will be among those attending the summit. The summit essentially aims to discuss India-US cooperation and the relations between the two countries in a post COVID world.

India-Spain Foreign Office Consultations

India this week was a part of the 6th Foreign Office consultation with Spain, held on the 21st of July. The Indian delegation was led by Mr Vikas Swarup, Secretary (West). Meanwhile, the Spanish side had, Ms Cristina Gallach, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ibero-America, and the Caribbean, at its helm. The two countries along with discussing reforms and opportunities for enhancing bilateral economic cooperation exchanged views on the COVID 19 response and post- COVID recovery priorities. Lastly, the two sides revised agreements under consideration and mutually agreed to forward the bilateral agenda, including exchange by both sides.

Release of Nidan Singh Sachdeva

Nidan Singh Sachdeva, who was kidnapped last month from the Chamkani district in Pakita province on 22nd June 2020, was recently released from captivity. Nidan Singh belongs to the Hindu-Sikh community of Afghanistan. The Indian Government conveyed its appreciation to the Government of Afghanistan and various tribal leaders of the region for their help. The kidnapping of Nidan Singh has revealed the ongoing targeting and persecution of minority members by terrorists who are controlled by their external supporters. Lastly, in a decisive measure, India has decided to facilitate the return of those minority members who face external security threats.

Conclusion

Even though the country is experiencing a worsening of conditions with its neighbours, keeping in mind the recent development of tensions with Pakistan, over the unprovoked fire at the Line of Control, the country has extended a helping hand towards both nations like Afghanistan in the Middle East and at the same time European nations such as Spain. In the last few years the country has developed military relations with the United States, but in recent times it has looked at the possibility of venturing into developing an economic partnership with the superpower. Lastly, India’s image as developing power worldwide has been further augmented by its election into the United Nations Security Council and the keynote address delivered by the Prime Minister at the Economic and Social Council.

Read Also: INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY REPORT – EDITION #4

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