Lecture: Better Understanding of Indian Foreign Policy :: A report

Aheibam Koireng Singh *

Lecture: 'Better Understanding of Indian Foreign Policy' at Manipur University, Canchipur on March 30, 2015

A one day "Distinguished Lecture Series Program for Better Understanding of Indian Foreign Policy" was held at Manipur University, Canchipur on March 30, 2015 . The Program was sponsored by the Minister of External Affairs, Government of India and organised by the Department of Political Science, Manipur University.

Mr. Rudi Warjri, Former Ambassador of India, was the Chief Guest cum Speaker of the Distinguished Lecture Series Program. Prof. Ksh Bimola Devi and Prof. S. Rajendra Singh were the Guests of Honour, and Prof. S. Mangi Singh, Head, Department of Political Science, Manipur University, Canchipur presided the function.

While giving the Welcome cum Keynote Address, Prof. S. Mangi Singh said that the Department of Political Science has been regularly organizing "Distinguished Lectures" on various significant themes. He remarked that today's lecture is aimed at spreading a better understanding of India's Foreign Policy. He truly believes that the lecture will be useful for scholars in understanding the foreign policy aspect of India's Act East Policy.

Mr. Rudi Warjri, Former Ambassador of India, delivered a lecture titled, "Act East Policy & North East India". He said that the term Act East Policy was used for the first time by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi in November 2014 at Nya Pi Taw, Myanmar. And effort has been made by the Modi Government since entering into office to turn India's LEP into AEP.

According to Mr. Rudi Warjri, there are two (twin) angles of AEP. First is the External Angle, which essentially concerns relations of India as a whole with ASEAN (comprise of Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam and Philippines) and East Asia. The second angle, which is the internal angle is about development of North East India that makes it a viable gate way for the rest of India to ASEAN & East Asia. In his lecture he devoted to the second aspect of AEP.

In Myanmar during the India – ASEAN Summit as well as the East Asia Summit, PM Modi had said that "East Asia is an important pillar of this policy". This was in the presence of world leaders such as President Obama, the Russian PM Medvedev and Chinese PM Li Kequiang. EAS is an ASEAN led dialogue forum of 18 countries comprising of ASEAN plus Japan, China, South Korea , India, Australia, New Zealand , Russia and the US.

Speaking on the difference between LEP & AEP, Mr. Rudi Warjri stated that AEP is aimed at building up further on LEP. The announcement during the Summit in the presence of world leaders signified the advancing posture of India on the subject. PM Modi's speech referred to international norms and laws and upgrading maritime security and urged ASEAN to conclude the code of conduct on South China Sea. This was the first clear message aimed at China in an international forum. At the same time, PM Modi emphasized on making Myanmar a "valued friend" and strengthening cooperation with it became a priority. The Prime Minister raised the stature of ASEAN by saying that ASEAN has a unique identity and voice in global affairs. Further he emphasised on digital linkages with ASEAN besides roads and infrastructure connectivity.

Mr. Rudi Warjri briefly described how relation between India and ASEAN has developed over the years. For example, in 2011-12, two way trade reached almost US$ 80 billion. And FTA between the two had come into effect Jan 1, 2010. The bilateral trade is expected to reach US$ 100 billion by 2015. In terms of investment, Singapore alone has 13 percent of FDI into India.

Then, he moved on to stress how LEP is significant for North East India. According to him, the launching of the Look East Policy took place 25 years ago. During this time, India's Trade and Investment and overall relationship with ASEAN and EAS has gone up by leaps and bounds. But how the North East India as the gateway to ASEAN and EAS has benefited in trade and investment remains a question. There are no data to prove the presence of any, he emphasized.

Lecture: 'Better Understanding of Indian Foreign Policy' at Manipur University, Canchipur on March 30, 2015

Speaking on the psychological dimension of India and North East, he stressed that the hate crimes against Northeasterners in Delhi and other cities have made bad impression about India as a whole to the Northeasterners. At the same time, the mindset in Delhi is that North East is looked at only from the prism of security and insurgency. He added that Myanmar shares 1400 kms border with the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Thus, 'connectivity' is the key. Road, rail, air, cyber and telecom, inland waterways and power. This was already recommended in the North Eastern Region 2020 Vision document. Implementation remains unfulfilled.

At the same time, there are numerous projects in the pipeline such as the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit project, Imphal to Mandalay leading to the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, proposal for a bus service, road link between Mizoram and Chin states, road and railway connectivity within NE itself, etc. Early implementation of all these projects to facilitate movement of goods, services and tourists are needed. Other requirements include modernization of border trading framework, soft infrastructure for transit & transportation, settling the security and insurgency situation and building mutual confidence and trust. Some of these issues were also addressed at the India-ASEAN dialogue VII.

According to budget of India 2015, a project development company will set up manufacturing hubs in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam through separate special purposes vehicles (SPVs). This is to catalyze investments from Indian private sector and boost trade and commerce between NE India and SE Asia.

Budget 2015 has recommended opening of AIIMS in Assam, Indian Institute of Science , Education and Research in Nagaland, Centre of Film production, Animation and Gaming in Arunachal Pradesh. Industry is expecting fiscal package of NE Industrial & Investment Promotion policy kept in abeyance.

He reiterated the need for "Make in NE" as DONER Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has announced inspired by the "Make in India" concept of PM Modi. The idea is to promote exclusive NE expertise like tea processing, organic farming, food processing, exploitation of wind power, AYUSH, Wellness therapies, etc. For example, film industry from Mumbai must come for shooting in NE

Speaking on AEP and Manipur, Mr. Rudi Warjri said that Manipur is the most critical state in India's connectivity to Myanmar and South East Asia. 99 percent of overland formal trade goes through Moreh besides the informal/illegal trade. It is not surprising that Moreh being talked about as one of the targets 100 smart cities of India.

The biggest problem in NE India is that there is no sector to provide employment to the educated youths. AEP is bound to do that. Singapore is a relevant example to show how development can be brought about. It has also successfully instilled a sense of national identity to its citizens, be it a Chinese, Malaysian or Indian. It is an effective state and successfully come over communalism, religious differences, etc. Northeast have to learn from it.

Mr. Rudi Warjri also emphasized that it is one thing to blame Delhi, GoI or the rest of India for all the ills in North East, it is another for states in NE to look at themselves in the mirror and ask what do we have to do to progress and develop. The truth about insurgency and corruption in North East has to be acknowledged. The nexus between politicians, bureaucrats, police, contractors, mafias, pressure groups or so called NGOs, etc. in siphoning off of funds. NEC revealed that transport cost from Gauhaty to Shillong is more expensive that the cost of travelling from Gauhaty to Kolkota. Pressure groups do not want railway, does the high cost of logistic.

Lecture: 'Better Understanding of Indian Foreign Policy' at Manipur University, Canchipur on March 30, 2015

He stressed that one needs to realize that increasingly technology has made the world become more and more borderless. Also, there is the need to overcome insularity in the name of protection of indigenous people. Without investment there cannot be employment. Thus, there is the need to work for a sense of 'investment security' by investors – whether Indian or Foreign.

Mr. Rudi Warjri moved on to emphasise the significance of Sub state diplomacy. He recalled that in one the lectures of the Vice President of India, Shri Hamid Ansari on the Challenges to Indian diplomacy in the 21st century, the Vice President talked about need for Sub-State diplomacy. It means that states in border areas have a natural cultural and economic interest in our foreign policy orientation towards our neighbours. For example, Manipur will have an interest in Myanmar and thus play an important role in that country.

Mr. Rudi Warjri quoted Shyam Saran, Former Foreign Secretary who said, "It is time we reimagined our country's borders and made our border regions full stake holders in India's development." Abandon the concept of border trade and replace it with trade through 'border points'. For example, in the Amazon, there are restaurants and other business establishments which fall in two countries because the countries are far away from the river.

Mr. Rudi Warjri stated that in the name of 'cooperative and competitive federalism' under PM Modi a new division called States Division has been created in Ministry of External Affairs headed by a Joint Secretary. Hopefully, North East India is given due primary attention as a gateway to ASEAN and East Asia. He gave the following suggestions:

o A recognition that the security and territorial integrity of India in the North East can be best fortified by the combined economic strength of the States in the North East and their economic integration with ASEAN , BIMSTEC and East Asia

o Speedy Implementation of all the projects viz. as LEP or AEP

o No point reinventing the wheel – just implement the North East Vision 2020 – we are already now in 2015

o There is a need for all the States in North East to be more involved in diplomacy with neighbouring countries

o Some paradigm shift in thinking in Delhi needs to take place

o Inclusion of Chief Ministers of border states of North East in Prime Ministerial visits to neighbouring countries is a welcome step

o At the inaugural session of the recently held India-ASEAN Delhi dialogue VII, the Chief Minister of Manipur, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and Minister of Planning of Assam were special invitees. This is a good start.

o Institutionalize a Committee of all the Chief Ministers in NE that include the NEC, DONER etc presided by the External Affairs Minister that could be called the Act East Policy North East Council (AEP-NE Council) or any other nomenclature. This is to make AEP move ahead

o The AEP-NE Council presided by the External Affairs Minister would be in keeping with what VP Hamid Ansari puts it "a more robust institutional and systemic response rooted in mandatory dialogue and consultation mechanisms with sub-national territorial units…."

o There is a need to promote a 'pan-India fraternity' that bridges the psychological and emotional gap (psychological dimension) between India and North East

o Immediate removal of AFSPA for instance is bound to generate positive vibes both ways that will result in deep consequential gains

He concluded with the remarks, "Act East through North East".