Tuesday, February 16, 2016

[Editorial #66] Abu Dhabi calling : The Indian Express


[Following editorial has been published in The Indian Express on 16th February 2016. Read through it and try to answer the questions that follow. Please do not copy and paste answers. The objective of this exercise is to get you in the groove of answer-writing. Try to write in your own words. Don't hesitate to write in a bulleted-format, if you are uncomfortable in writing in paragraph form.]

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have turned into India’s gateway to West Asia, focusing New Delhi’s attention on an important region long neglected by Indian foreign policy, which now appears to be acquiring the geoeconomic and strategic priority it deserves. Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit last week built on the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to the UAE last August — the first by an Indian PM in over three decades, which had demonstrated India’s break from the past and recognition of the changed dynamics of the Middle East. The region’s altered security and politico-economic reality, not least because of threats like the Islamic State (IS) or the falling price of oil, necessitates new partnerships.

Although bilateral trade fell from its $73 billion peak in 2013 to $59bn in 2014-15, the UAE — which accounts for about 9 per cent of India’s crude imports — remains India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination, and has pledged to invest $75bn in India. Its $800bn sovereign wealth fund is a large resource pool from which investments can be made in infrastructure development in India — progress on these lines can be seen in Abu Dhabi’s interest in Indian highway projects. The joint production of defence equipment under the Make in India programme is another important area of focus. Mohamed bin Zayed’s visit also saw agreements, among other things, on cyberspace and cybercrime cooperation, space research, as well as collaboration on renewable energy. The MoU on currency swap between the RBI and Central Bank of UAE should ease bilateral financial transactions.

A significant aspect of bilateral ties today is the closer convergence on security and counter-terrorism. Notwithstanding a security agreement in place since 2011, progress on counter-terror and maritime security had been slow. But with the rise of the IS, the UAE took a strong stand against terror — and has, till date, deported about a dozen Indian citizens suspected of IS links. While enhanced security cooperation also ties in partly with the affairs of India’s 2.6 million large diaspora in the UAE, their problems had traditionally not received attention in Delhi. India’s six million workers in the Gulf contribute $50bn in annual remittances, but their work and living conditions need urgent redress. The PM had directly reached out to this community on his trip. Now, closer all-round bilateral cooperation should help address their concerns.

Questions:

1. Where is UAE located? Mark the location on a world map. How far is UAE from India? How can you go to UAE from India?

2. What makes UAE an important country to have healthy diplomatic relations with?

3. How can UAE help India in addressing the issue of terrorism?

4. What are major exports to and imports from UAE?

5. What has been the history of migration of Indians to UAE? What are the contributions of Indian diaspora residing in UAE?

6. What is understood by cyber security? What is the machinery set up by India to ensure cyber security?

7. What are renewable sources of energy? Why are they becoming increasingly significant? What are the challenges in harnessing renewable energy?

8. "The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have turned into India’s gateway to West Asia, focusing New Delhi’s attention on an important region long neglected by Indian foreign policy, which now appears to be acquiring the geo-economic and strategic priority it deserves". Analyse (200 words)



13 comments:

  1. 2. What makes UAE an important country to have healthy diplomatic relations with?
    A trade relations:
    6th largest oil supplier to india.
    UAE is india's 3rd largest trade partner after US and CHINA
    bilateral trade worth $60bn between both the countries
    remittances worth $8bn from UAE to INDIA every year.
    STRATEGIC RELATIONS:
    Being close to the gulf of aden it can play a major role if war like situation arises between both the countries as both are planning to establish oil reserves in india.
    COUNTER TERRORISM:
    being a wartorn region and UAE having largest expatriate population of around 30L it is important to have good relations to ensure safety and security of indians living abroad.

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  2. 4.How can UAE help India in addressing the issue of terrorism?
    A. indian diaspora is the largest section of the foreigners in UAE . Pakisthan and india together constitutes majority of the population of UAE surpassing the native citizens. there will be a mix of people from india and pakisthan and as there are high chances of blurring the nationality on sides of religion in UAE. Such people can be indoctrinated who when return to india can become a threat to national ssecurity.
    Hence, the UAE can help by supporting the Indian embassy with the reports and helping the embassy to be as a watch dog of indian expatriates and their moves. Though it may be considered as the violation of right to freedom, it is very much essential in large public interest.

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    Replies
    1. 1. Mutual agreement to fight terrorism together

      2. Defence deals to enhance India's defence mechanism

      Delete
  3. 6. What is understood by cyber security? What is the machinery set up by India to ensure cyber security?
    A. cyber security means "computer security". GOI had enacted national cyber security policy 2013 . It also established In-CERT INternet computer emergency and resopnse team to look into the matters of cyber security.

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  4. 7. What are renewable sources of energy? Why are they becoming increasingly significant? What are the challenges in harnessing renewable energy?
    A. renewable sources are those which can be reused unlike the non-renewable sources which can be used only once. the following are the reases for the increasing significance of this sector.
    ECONOMIC:
    cost effective
    less maintenance cost
    decrease in the non-renewable resources
    ENVIRONMENT:
    due to the increase of threats due to CC it is high time to move towards safer,cost effective energy resources.
    the rise of release of CO2 and other gases from industry and vehicles leads to the rise of pollutants in the atmosphere which inturn leads to Global warming.
    DIPLOMATIC:
    INDC targets of reduction in the co2 levels to be achieved which is possible in the change in policy measures.
    SOCIAL:
    the effect of global warming hits poorer hard than the rich as the health hazards are affordable by the rich.
    the low lying areas and the small countries across the globe will become vulnerable to consequences more.
    CONSTITUTION:
    right to freedom of dignified life can be achieved with healthy environment.the shift in the energy resources towards RE is a healthy move in the right direction.
    SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:
    the idea of sustainable development can be achieved with the efficient use of existing resources and finding alternatives to it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 8. "The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have turned into India’s gateway to West Asia, focusing New Delhi’s attention on an important region long neglected by Indian foreign policy, which now appears to be acquiring the geo-economic and strategic priority it deserves". Analyse (200 words).
    UNSC REFORMS
    economic: make in india, oil 70%;
    diplomatic: china -iran relations; ISIS
    ECONOMIC:
    the demand for the oil is growing to see an exponential rise , where the West asia could be a major source of imported oil.
    the remittances worth $60bn comes from WANA
    employment oppurtunity to large section of people.
    SOCIAL:
    the need for action on terrorism as its foothold is spreading across the globe.
    to resolve the issues of labour laws in those countries where acc. to ILO , that indians 6,00,000 are the major sufferers.
    STRATEGIC RELATIONS:
    the removal of sanctions on iran by US can facilitate the ties with west asia countries.
    to cut down the influence of china in west asia.
    UNSC reforms needed with india aspiring to have a permanent seat.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 4.
    Indian exports to UAE mainly include gems and jewelry, vegetables, fruit, spices, engineering goods, tea, meat and its preparations, rice, textiles and apparel and chemicals. Indian imports from UAE mainly include crude & petroleum products, gold & silver, pearls, precious and semiprecious stones, metal ores & metal scrap, electronics goods and transport equipment.

    Credit : embassy data

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  7. UAE is 2603 km far from India. We could simply board flight from Bengaluru to reach UAE. If the average speed of air plane is 560 miles it will take around 3 hours to reach there.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What makes UAE an important country to have healthy diplomatic relations with?
    Trade
    India-UAE trade, valued at US$ 180 million per annum in the 1970s, is around US$60 billion making UAE, India’s third largest trading partner for the year 2014-15 after China and US.
    UAE is second largest export destination of India.
    Investment
    Uae has invested US$8billion in India. Uae is the tenth biggest investor in terms of FDI.
    Joint ventures
    various joint ventures undertaken by UAE companies in India.
    EMAAR being an example. DUbai ports world is operating 6 major ports in India.
    Investments by Indian companies in UAE is in excess of US$55billion.
    NRI
    There are more than 2.6million residing in UAE. the annual remittinces made by this community is estimated to be around US$8billion.
    Counter terrorism.
    IS is the common enemy. With an increasing number of individuals from India joining IS UAE can play a major role in countering terrorism.
    Bilateral Agreements
    Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
    Extradition Treaty.
    Agreement on trafficking in narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances.
    Agreement on transfer of Sentenced Persons.
    Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Custom Matters.
    Cultural relations.
    Cultural Agreement of 1975. Uae has been a close partner of India in organizing cultral events such as Indian Film Festival in November 2008, SAARC Film Festival in March 2009, and the Indian Paintings Exhibition -‘Spectrum’ in November 2009.

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  9. What are major exports to and imports from UAE?
    Imports
    Petroleum and Petroleum Products.Precious Metals, Stones, Gems & Jewellery, Minerals, Chemicals, Wood & Wood Products. India also imported 16.00 MMT of crude oil from UAE in 2014-15.
    EXPORTS
    India’s major export items to the UAE are: Petroleum Products, Precious Metals, Stones, Gems & Jewellery, Minerals, Food Items (Cereals, Sugar, Fruits & Vegetables, Tea, Meat, and Seafood), Textiles (Garments, Apparel, Synthetic fibre, Cotton, Yarn) and Engineering & Machinery Products and Chemicals.

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  10. What is understood by cyber security? What is the machinery set up by India to ensure cyber security?
    Cyber security refers to protection of the information systems. This is basically to protect the information system from theft or damage to the software,hardware,disruption,misdirect.
    National Cyber Security Policy-2013.
    12th Plan Report on Cyber Security.
    Cyber Laws.
    Cyber Security R & D.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Renewable source of energy is generally obtained from natural sources. Which are renewable and naturally replenished. Such as wind, solar etc. Other sources are also renewable but they take million of years to replenish. such as coal and crude oil.

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  12. Why are they becoming increasingly significant? What are the challenges in harnessing renewable energy?
    Significance of renewable source of energy:
    1.Environment- it will help reduce pollutants which in turn will lead to good health of people.
    2.Economic- Although the primary installments and providing the machinery for establishment of renewable source of energy may incur considerable cost but in the long run it will be very cheap. it will also lead to employment generation. inexhaustible energy supply.

    ReplyDelete