Enhancing transparency of India’s nuclear infrastructure

Ques. “Enhancing transparency of India’s nuclear infrastructure by ratifying an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a step that in a single stroke can be leveraged to boost energy security and lift international confidence”,  Comment.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-more-open-to-ninspections/article6139494.ece?homepage=true

India has a flourishing and largely indigenous nuclear power program. Because India is outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty due to its weapons program, it was for 34 years largely excluded from trade in nuclear plant or materials, which has hampered its development of civil nuclear energy until 2009.Due to these trade bans and lack of indigenous uranium, India has uniquely been developing a nuclear fuel cycle to exploit its reserves of thorium. Now, foreign technology and fuel are expected to boost India’s nuclear power plan considerably. All plants will have high indigenous engineering content. India has a vision of becoming a world leader in nuclear technology due to its expertise in fast reactors and thorium fuel cycle.

Recently, India has decided to enhance transparency of its nuclear infrastructure by ratifying an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that may boost its energy security and lift international confidence in the following ways:

• Enhances transparency of India’s civilian infrastructure
• Smoothens ties with the US
• Makes import of nuclear power equipment from diverse sources easier
• Boosts India’s chance of becoming a member of Nuclear supplier group

The Indian government would be wise to reconsider its vision of nuclear energy so that it does not seem limited to simply getting its technology right. Creating robust policy debates across domains such as solar and wind power will benefit India’s energy development as a whole. Sociological and anthropological perspectives must be integrated into policy discussions. Advancing the principles of democracy such as citizenship rights and government accountability will promote critical thinking about maximizing the public good beyond a simple cost-benefit analysis of market economics. That is the best approach, if India is to have a nuclear energy program that is socially just, environmentally sustainable, and economically feasible.

Indo-Sri Lanka Palk Bay conflict

Ques. Throw the light on the Palk bay Conflict between India and Sri Lanka. What measure should be taken to resolve the issue?

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/victims-of-political-manipulation/article6099358.ece

The Palk Bay region, separates the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu from northern parts of Sri Lanka. Fishing conflicts in the Indo-Sri Lankan waters in the Palk Bay have worsened leading to arrest, detention and even death of Indian fishermen. The indiscriminate expansion of fishing capacity in the Indian waters is the root of the problem. The rich fishing waters, especially lucrative on the Sri Lanka side of the maritime boundary, became a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu fishermen and the Sri Lanka Navy during the years of the ethnic conflict. With the declaration of a ceasefire between the Sri Lanka Government and the Tamil Tigers, a new dimension has been added to the problem. Sri Lankan fishermen have resumed fishing operations; however, they find poaching by Indian trawlers into Sri Lanka waters to be a major hindrance to their livelihood. The irony of fisheries in the Palk Strait is that while the trawling ground is limited, trawlers are unlimited. Sri Lankan Navy personnel have on occasion fired at and killed Indian fishermen for fishing in the narrow Palk Strait. Sri Lanka has also arrested several Indian fishermen for crossing the IMBL. The Indian fishermen, the majority of whom are ethnically Tamil, largely allege that the areas in which they conduct their fishing activities should not be a major issue given that Tamil fishermen have traditionally operated in these areas.

One of the main issue is that the Indian trawlers employ large nets that sweep the ocean floor, trapping not only non-target organisms, but also a lot of young fish too. This affects the breeding cycle, and has led to the depletion of marine resources in Indian seas. Sri Lankan fishermen now fear the same depletion will occur in their waters if trawling continues. Of the nearly two lakh people, a fifth of the Northern Province’s population — who depend on fisheries for their income, fishermen like him living in Mannar and Jaffna are among the worst-hit by the Indian trawlers. Mannar alone has nearly 40,000 people whose lives are tied to fishing activity along its 163 km long-coastline. Compounding the issue are a few local fishermen engaging in banned fishing methods, including bottom-trawling, citing the Indian trawlers as the reason. With these challenges looming large, small-scale fishermen who own plastic boats are severely affected. According to  the president of Federation of Mannar District Fishermen Associations, Many of the fishermen have lost their nets while some have mortgaged their assets to cope with the crisis, having nothing more to lose.

Measure:

• The goal of the current process is to work out an agreement that reduces the use of force against Indian fishermen straying near or into Sri Lankan waters, and streamlining judicial procedures so that Sri Lanka can respond to fishing violations by Indian fishermen in a manner agreeable to the government of Tamil Nadu.
• The Joint Working Group on the fishing issue should be composed of central government officials from both countries and individuals representing the fishermen’s interest.
• Govt. of Tamil Nadu should initiate certain policies so as to ensure, foster and protect the interest of Tamil fishermen without depriving the livelihood of Sri Lankan fishermen.
• Strong and robust diplomatic response is needed, considering that Tamil Nadu has to necessarily think of deep sea fishing in its pursuit of a long-term solution to the Palk Bay Crisis.

The issue of fishermen from India and Sri Lanka crossing the international maritime boundary has led to a conflict between fishermen of both countries. The trawlers pose a serious threat to marine resources and in the long run, it would affect not just fishermen of northern Sri Lanka, but all fishermen in the region, therefore the issue needs an urgent solution by the govt. of both the countries.

India-Bangladesh trans-border issues

Critically analyse India-Bangladesh trans-border issues.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/major-arms-haul-on-bangladesh-border/article6080261.ece

The Bangladesh-India border relation is multi-dimensional, and shaped by the dynamics and pattern of internal politics of the two countries.

The border problem is not confined to the issue of demarcation. It also involves issues such as cross-border smuggling, terrorist activities, border fencing, human trafficking, and illegal immigration. Above all, there is the issue of the killing of Bangladeshi people. India’s nation building challenges and internal security are linked with border security and border management.

The major security concerns of India in the context of the Bangladesh border are: –

• Trans-border terrorism and movement of insurgents particularly in the light of the 2008 terrorist attacks on the major cities of India involving one common point of having its base in Bangladesh.

• Illegal migration that has changed the demography of the north-east and is one of the main causes for the rise of rebel groups in that area.

• Emergence of non-state actors like terrorist organisations, religious groups and illegal immigrant groups.

• Nexus between arms and narcotics smugglers as Bangladesh has close proximity to the ‘Golden Triangle’. Most weapons of the rebel groups of north-east India, including AK-47 and AK-56 assault rifles, mortars, 40 mm rocket launchers, pistols, revolvers and grenades are bought from Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and come through Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia via the land and sea route.

• Separatist movement aided and abetted by Bangladeshis.

• Establishment of madrasas particularly in the border areas, that has become the recruiting place for the terrorist outfits.

Security measures call for appropriate force structures and procedures to deal with the entry of illegal immigrants, terrorists and contraband goods. In addition, there is a need to establish closer relation with the border population to protect them from subversive propaganda. It is also important to prevent unauthorised settlements along the borders and initiate special development programmes. Promoting the concept of Village Voluntary Forces (VVF) in the border districts and facilitating legitimate trade between the two countries will aid sound border security and border management. Additionally, information networking, coordination and joint patrolling, and strict criminal investigations against the offender will secure the borders of unlawful activities. Finally endorsing regional cooperation which will include economic collaboration, diplomatic alliances and military-to-military confidence building measures; friendly relations with the neighbouring countries and information sharing can provide a sound border security and border management.