Mrunal [Current] April-Week4-P3_ Diplomacy International Relations-Teesta Water Sharing, China BDCA...

7/25/2019 Mrunal [Current] April-Week4-P3_ Diplomacy International Relations-Teesta Water Sharing, China BDCA Pact, US FA

1/13

5/22/2014 Mrunal [Current] April-Week4-P3: Diplomacy International Relations-Teesta Water Sharing, China BDCA Pact, US FATCA Treaty, Hamas-Fatah U

http://mrunal.org/2014/05/current-apri l-week4-p3-diplomacy-international-relations-teesta-water-sharing-china-bdca-pact-us-facta-treaty-hamas-fatah-unit 1/13

[Current] April-Week4-P3: Diplomacy International Relations-Teesta Water Sharing,China BDCA Pact, US FATCA Treaty, Hamas-Fatah Unity deal, UN Security sector

Reform, Bhutan Hydroproject

Update: had to make some fixes in the site theme. IF the site is not displayed properly in your

browser clear cache (control+shift+del key together).

for more troubleshoot click me

1. Prologue

2. D1: Fair share from Teesta?

3. D2: India Bhutan Love n Hate over Hydroprojects

4. D3: Sino-India BDCA Pact

5. D4: FATCA Treaty India US

6. D5: Israel-Palestine: HAMAS-FATAH Unity Deal

7. D6: UN Security sector reforms (SSR)

8. D7: UN-IOC Sports for development and Peace

Prologue

Current Affairs from April Week 4: (23th to 30nd). Total three parts

1. Economy: Coming soon

2. Polity, History, Culture, Environment: Coming soon3. International Relations (IR)/ Diplomacy: (Youre here)

General Studies Paper 2:

Answer following in 200 words each.

1. Early conclusion of Teesta accord is in the strategic interest of India. Elaborate.

2. What are the salient features of Border Defense Cooperation Agreement (BDCA)

agreement between India-China? How will it benefit Indian side?

3. Discuss in brief, the salient features and benefits of Indo-US FATCA agreement

4. Examine the need for Securities Sector Reform (SSR), and discuss the stand of India andUNSC on this issue.

Interview

1. Why are Bangladeshi opposition parties claiming injustice in Teesta Water sharing

agreement?

2. Why have Fatah and Hamas signed Unity deal? Whatll be its implication on Israel-

Palestine relations?

D1: Fair share from Teesta?

As such an old topic but came in news against because Mamatas election rallies in India &

Protests in Bangladesh.
http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://mrunal.org/2014/02/troubleshoot-site-themelayout-problems-solutions-just-clear-temp-cache-files-browser-ssc-extends-deadline-cgl-2014-applications.htmlhttp://mrunal.org/http://mrunal.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://mrunal.org/2014/02/troubleshoot-site-themelayout-problems-solutions-just-clear-temp-cache-files-browser-ssc-extends-deadline-cgl-2014-applications.htmlhttp://mrunal.org/


2/13



Geography

Teesta originates from Kangse Glacier, Charamu Lake in Sikkim, most of its catchment

area lies in India.

It enters Bangladesh, joins Brahmaputra, and ends in Bay of Bengal.

After Brahmapurta, Ganges and Meghna; Teesta is the 4th largest river in Bangladesh.

Sequence of events:

W.Bengal government began constructing a barrage and catchment area on Teesta.

Bangladesh opposed, because their rice bowl Rangpur region depends on Teesta.

To pacify them, India began negotiation.

1983: India- Bangladesh concluded and ad-hoc agreement on Teesta

Water share from Teesta

India 39%

Bangladesh 36%Unallocated 25%

But problem unsolved, because Bangladesh wanted equal sharing.

1984: Joint-river commission appointed to collect hydrological data & suggest a rational

method for water sharing.

Commission recommended increasing Bangladeshs share, on logic that W.Bengals

barrage is very close to Bangladesh border (~90 km). Some water will penetrate

underground and benefit both countries anyways.

New formula proposed

Water share from Teesta

India 42.5%

Bangladesh 37.5%
https://www.flickr.com/photos/97816112@N02/13991771487


3/13



Unallocated 20% for the river (otherwise nothing will reach to Bay of Bengal!)

2010:

Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) calls Pakistani poliitcal establishment to stop Indians from

constructing dams on rivers flowing to Pakistan, raise the matter in UN, asked civil

society(!) to support this cause. And even suggested that Kashmiri Mujahideen should be

given a Free hand to destroy Bhakra dam!

In other words, Hafiz Saeed is using economy/farmers plight as a new propaganda tool topromote terrorism. (May be because Paki youth is also hooked up on facebook &

whatsapp, hard to get new recruits by preaching religious extremism!)

Sep. 2011

Mohan plans to visit Bangladesh, sign accords for Teesta and Land border disputes.

He invited five state CM that share border with Bangladesh, to join him in this visit.

But on eleventh hour, W.Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee dropped from this visit to protest

against Teesta sharing agreement.

Mamathas position:

This treaty will dry out Northern region of W.Bengal & hurt Indian farmers.

1998: Bangladeshs largest irrigation project Teesta Barrage began. With help of this

water, Bangladeshi farmers already have three cropping seasons per year.

So, they dont deserve any more water.

At that time, Trinmool Congress was the single largest coalition partner in UPA, therefore

Mohan had to drop the Teesta accord. He could only sign Land boundary agreement with

Bangladesh.

^Ok this is upto 2011. why is the topic in news in 2014?

March 2014

BIMSTEC summit at Nay Pyi Taw click me

Mohan assured Haseena about early conclusion of Teesta accord.

April 2014

On Indian side On Bangladeshi side

Mamatha tells voters to

teach a lesson to

Congies.

Because otherwise next

Congi PM will sign

Teesta accord = Northern

parts of W.Bengal will

become dry, water

shortage for drinking and

irrigation.

Terrorist Parties like Jamaat-e-Islami & their

supporters like Khalida Zia have startedDharna

pradarshanin Dhakas Jantar Mantar.

Their claim India has reduced releasing water from

Teesta but Hasinas Secular Bangladesh Awami

League party is doing nothing to get fair share from

Teesta. Bangladeshi paddy farmers are suffering!

(Recall the same propaganda by Jamaat-ud-Dawah

(JuD)in Pakistan in 2010.

May 2014
http://mrunal.org/2014/03/diplomacy-bimstec-third-summit-nay-pyi-taw-outcomes-trans-border-connectivity-bcim-corridor.html


4/13



Bangladesh PM Hasina says Indias central government (Mohan) was sincere, but Mamata

raised objections hence the deal could not be signed.

September 2014

Hasina will visit India. Irrespective of whether Teesta accord is signed or not- topic will

keep re-appearing in THEHINDU and hence will remain important for UPSC Mains-2014

& Interview 2014.

Mock Question

Q.Early conclusion of Teesta accord is in the strategic interest of India. Elaborate. (200

words)

Teesta originates from Sikkim & joins Bramhaputra in

Bangladesh. It is an important irrigation source for paddy

farmers on both sides.

In the 80s, India & Bangladesh signed ad-hoc agreement to

share 39% & 36% of Teesta water respectively.

Later, Joint river water commission was setup to collecthydrological data & suggest a rational method for water

sharing.

2011: New formula proposed- India & Bangladesh to get

42.5% and 37.5% respectively.

But due to opposition from West Bengal state

government, and its CM being the single largest coalition

partner in UPA, this deal could not materialize during PM Manmohan Singhs official visit

to Bangladesh in 2011.

2014: Bangladeshi Extremist outfits like Jamaat-e-Islami have tied with Opposition leader

Khalida Zia. They began large scale protests & political mobilization against current PMSheikh Hasina, for her failure to carry out Teesta accord, hurting Paddy farmers & selling

their country to India.

In past, Jamaat-ud-Dawa & Hafiz Saeed have used similar propaganda tactics to promote

hatred among Pakistanis against Indian dams.

PM Hasina is an important ally of India. She has adopted zero tolerance policy against

Anti-Indian terror outfits. Only under her regime, HuJI terror leaders were arrested, ULFA

was banned & its chief Paresh Barua was awarded death penalty.

Without such liberal-secular regimes in neighboring countries, India cannot become

terror-free.

Therefore India needs to take proactive steps for early conclusion of Teesta agreement, to

show itself as a good neighbor and prevent resurgence of extremist parties inneighborhood.

~265 words. (counting a, an, &, the etc.)

D2: India Bhutan Love n Hate over Hydroprojects

Topic in news because during April 2014, India and Bhutan signed a new Inter-Governmental

Agreement for hydro projects.

Sequence of Events

2006: India Bhutan signed agreement. India promised to develop 10,000 MW hydropower

in Bhutan. Bhutan promised theyll export surplus electricity to India by 2020.

Following three already supplying el ectrici ty to India


5/13



Chukha project 336 MW

Kurichu project 60 MW

Tala project 1020 MW

Total 1416 MW

Following wi ll supplying electricity from 2018

Punatsangchu-I 1200 MW

Punatsangchu-II 1020 MW

Mangdehchu 720 MW

Total 2940 MW

April 2014:

New agreement signed to develop four new Hydroelectric projects in Bhutan:

Kholongchu project 600 MW

Bunakha project 180 MW

Wangchu project 570 MWChamkarchu project 770 MW

Total 2120 MW

numbers not important but these are all run of the river type dam. They dont store water in

reservoirs, hence less problem of siltation and ecological damage.

India Bhutan Love & Hate over HYDRO POWER

1. Bhutanese economy is based on agriculture, forestry and tourism. But major of GDP

comes from construction and hydro-electricity.

2. India is the only importer of Bhutanese Hydroelectricity.


6/13



3. We also supply them Bhutan laborers, food imports and defense equipment.

4. But relations turned sour during previous PM Jigme Thinleys inclination towards China.

Chinese Angle

2008: China begins Border settlement talks with Bhutan.

China asked Bhutan to give 250 sq.km from North Bhutan. And offered to give 500 sq.km

area from China in return.

But this smaller 250 sq.km area is in Chumbi valley- @tri-junction of Bhutan, India andChina.

If China sets up base here, they can easily penetrate India and cut off North Eastern India

from rest of the country.

Fortunately Bhutan government declined the offer.

2012: RIO+20 summit. Chinese leaders again made offer PM Jigme Thinley , he

responded positively.

India alarmed, begins teaching lesson to Bhutan

1. Until now we gave Aid/donation to Bhutan for building their Hydroplants. But now we

stopped giving free aid. Only loans for Bhutan.2. Stopped kerosene and cooking gas subsidy.

3. Subprime crisis=> declined tourists. GDP stagnates. No money to repay Indian loans.

4. So far Bhutan PM completed only 3 Hydro project = not sufficient production to cover the

costs.

5. Cannot give any more subsidy on Kerosene and cooking gas =>Bhutanese juntaa protests.

2013 General election in Bhutan, they vote new Prime Minister Tshering Thogbay.

PM Tshering Thogbay visits India & promises Ill remain in my aukaat, will not take any

decision against Indian security interests. India is satisfied, and stops teaching lesson

1. Announced Rs.500 crore economic aid. (aid=dont have to repay loan principal / interest.)2. Restored subsidy on kerosene and cooking gas

3. Promised additional HEP projects with help of Indian public sector undertaking.

Fast forward to April 2014: we signed agreement for Chukha, Kurichu, Tala projects.

D3: Sino-India BDCA Pact

This was signed in October 2013, but topic is in news during April 2014 because Army officers

of both sides met each other as per the provisions of this pact.

Q.What are the salient features of Border Defense Cooperation Agreement (BDCA)

agreement between India-China? How will i t benefit Indian side? (200 words)

Features

Under Border Defense Cooperation Agreement (BDCA), Both sides will :

1. follow maximum self-restrain,

2. Will not use military capabilities against each other

3. Will avoid patrolling along such border areas, where there is no common understanding of

LAC (Line of Actual Control)

4. Will cooperate during natural disaster, anti-smuggling, anti-narcotics, anti-poaching

operations

5. Assist in locating men and animals that mistakenly cross the border.

6. Information sharing about military exercises


7/13



7. Both can initiate joint-military training exercise=> In Nov.2014, there will be Hand-in-

Hand counter-terrorism exercise at Barrackpore(West Bengal).

8. Flag meeting on borders

9. regular meetings between high officials & Defense ministers

10. Invite each other for celebration of any national/ military day/ festival /sports event on

LAC

11. Hold India-China Annual Defense Dialogue.

Benefits to Indian side

1. Will have to spend less man and material resources to guard Sino-Indian border.

2. This agreement can smooth path towards peaceful settlement of border disputes

3. Will improve bilateral relations. This confidence building measure can also expend to

economic cooperation

4. A distant possibility, (since there are no permanent friends or foe in diplomacy) if

goodfaith is established, China may stop arming Pakistan against India.

5. Regular Meetings between defense ministers and officials, will clear misunderstanding on

many issues, that otherwise result in random confrontation between patrolling soldiers.

~210 words.

D4: FATCA Treaty India US

(GS2/GS3-money laundering) Discuss in brief, the salient features and benefits of Indo-

US FATCA agreement (200 words)

2010: American Congress enacted Foreign Account Tax compliance Act (FATCA) to keep

a tab on American citizens and companies investing abroad to evade taxes.

To implement this Act, US Government signs inter-governmental agreement (IGA) with the

other countries, to get information about American investors.

2014, April: India and USA signed an FATCA-IGA agreement.

Features

1. Will come in effect from 1st July 2014.


8/13



2. All Indian Financial intermediaries (Banks, mutual funds, insurance cos etc.) will have to

keep record of American investors- not just US citizens but even US green card holders

and US residents.

3. These American investors will be classified in three categories:

ACCOUNT

WITHFEATURE

Less than

$50,000Exempted from reporting

Between

$50,000- $1

millionIndia will share their information to USAs IRS (internal revenue service)

through CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes).Above $1

million

Exempted: Accounts of US government entities, US Federal reserve and retirement funds.

For Noncompliance, Indian FI will have to pay 30% of the withholding tax to USA.

~170 words

FATCA: Side notes

FATCA agreements have to models

MODEL1 MODEL2

Desi Financial institutions (banks, Mutual funds etc) will sent

report to their Government (CBDT)=> matter forwarded to=>

American IRS

Desi FI will directly send

info to American IRS tax

department

India has signed this type of agreement with USA

D5: Israel-Palestine: HAMAS-FATAH Unity Deal


9/13



Interview Q. Why have Fatah and Hamas signed Unity deal? Whatll be its i mplication on

Israel-Palestine relations?

for the full historic coverage of Israel-Palestine, read my earlier article click me

Hamas and Fatah =two rival factions of PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization).

2006: Hamas wins Palestine election but failed to form government

2007: rift between Hamas and Fatah => civil war.

Both factions tried to reconcile in 2011 and 12 but no help.

Hamas Fatah

not importantIts leader Mahmood Abbas is thecurrent President of Palestine

authority.

Dominates Gaza & Coastal areas. Mostly poor &

isolated regions.

Dominates West Bank area. Most

populous and rich.

Refuses to recognize Israel as a sovereign

country.

Uses violent methods to teach Israelis a

lesson.

Moderate views than Hamas.

Undergoing crisis period due to lack of money

and political support.

Egyptian army wiped out their supporters

(Muslim brotherhood) and supply tunnels toEgyptian army supports them.
http://mrunal.org/2012/11/diplomacy-israel-palestine-hamas-gaza-strip-west-bank-plo-conflict-origin-explained.htmlhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/97816112@N02/13992115978


10/13


http://mrunal.org/2014/05/current-apri l-week4-p3-diplomacy-international-relations-teesta-water-sharing-china-bdca-pact-us-facta-treaty-hamas-fatah-un 10/13

Gaza.

Even Qatar has stopped supporting Hamas.

Fast forward to current issue

July 2013: Peace talks begin between Israel & Palestine, USA plays mediator.

These talks had deadline of nine months (=end in April 2014.)

But peace talks failed because:

PARTY Action

PALESTINE

Israel has not released our prisoners. Well now apply to join 15 UN

agencies and international treaties such as Vienna Convention on

diplomatic relations, child rights, anti-torture, anti-corruption convention

and so on. click me

Then well complain about Israel in those bodies.

Switzerland has even supported that Palestine can join Geneva

Convention!

ISRAEL

Palestine is trying to bully me under those stupid conventions

Now for tit for tat. Every month we collect taxes from Palestines junta

and pay $100 million to Palestine authority. But since youve applied to

those UN bodies & secretly negotiating with terror outfits like Hamas,

now well withhold that tax money :P

USAfirst time publically blamed Israel for failure of talks Because Israels

decision to build 700 more settlements in Palestinian territory

Anyways, just one day before the talk deadline in April 2014, Hamas and Fatah propose to sign apeace agreement, with following features:

We recognize Israel as a country (but of 1967 borders)

We Renounce violence

We Acceptance of previous Israel- Palestine agreement 2011 and Hamas-Fatah agreement

2012

Well hold election within 6 months.

Why USA-Israel unhappy with this Unity Deal between Hamas & Fatah?

1. USA and Israel have declared Hamas as a militant/ terrorist organization. Hence directnegotiation with Hamas is against their official policy.

2. USA declared that the pact is unhelpful and paused the talks.

3. Some expert believe this is a tactic by Palestine leader Mahmood Abbas. He has not

formally signed this treaty yet. This is a ploy to force Israel to release those $100 tax

money.

4. Israels stand: if Abbas signs this Unity Pact with Hamas=> well hold him reasonable for

every rocket fired towards Israeli settlements.

5. EU Stand: Hamas is still a terror outfit under EU laws. Well recognize any deal between

Israel-Palestine ONLY if Palestine is ruled by a non-violent regime.

D6: UN Security sector reforms (SSR)

DONOT confuse this with UN Securities council (Veto-walli) reform.

Background
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/current-april-week1-p3-diplomacy-international-relations-arms-trade-treaty-indias-standnsa-reforms-snowden-navy-war-room-leakpalestine-un-membershipsino-indian-partnership-afghanistan-wit.html#318


11/13



1. UN carter mandates every member to either troops or equivalent money in UN

Peacekeeping operations (PKOs).

2. The share depends on countrys economy & status in global governance.

3. While developed countries usually send money, developing countries such as India, Pak,

Bangladesh send troops. Because troopers gets more salary in UN, than in Parent country.

4. We are the largest troop contributor in PKO, have participated in 46 out 70 UN missions,

send 1.7 lakh soldiers and lost >150 of them.

Why SSR reforms?

1. Security forces play a pivotal role in ensuring human rights and justice to all, particularly

during civil war, natural disasters and other humanitarian crisis.

2. These Securities forces include International peacekeeping forces, National troops, police,

jail authorities, intelligence agencies, border patrol, and even non state actors such as

private security contractors.

3. 2007: UN Secretary General setup Security Sector reform (SSR) task force to make these

forces more accountable to people and to the rule of law.

4. April 2014: India presented its stand to SSR taskforce. Taskforce released first draft

resolution (known as Resolution 2151), accepting most of the recommendations by India.

Indias stand on SSR reforms:

1. In Africa, the deployment of UN peacekeeping force operations (PKO), is often seen as

Neo-Colonialism, hence doesnt get cooperation from locals.

2. Therefore, UN & (White) donor countries should keep minimum external footprint during

peacekeeping ops.

3. Instead we should ensure sustainable national ownership of the SSR process.

4. In other words, the strife-ridden (African) host countries should decide mandate the

functions/mandate of UN Peacekeeping troopers and how much Desi liquor quota should

be alloted to those foreign troopers.5. (White) donor countries should not be calling the shots. (Poor) Host country should

decide their own Priorities.

6. SSR reform should also focus on post-conflict peacebuilding.

7. Meaning, After peace agreement is signed (Between xyz African government vs rebels),

Peacekeeping operations should focus on maintenance of public order until situation

returns to normalcy (instead of immediately packing the bags and leaving- to save UN

budget.)

8. UN peacekeeping mission should be run in cost-effective manner and not with cost-cutting

mindset.

9. Without political reforms at national (African country level) and International (UNSC)level, any police, military reforms/charters will be hollow and unsustainable.

10. Sometimes soldiers of local ethnic majority dominate the peacekeeping corps, thereby act

discriminately and turn blind eye to human rights abuse.

11. Therefore, we should ensure impartial recruitments in peacekeeping forces.

UNSC Resolution 2151 on SSR

Included most of the points made by India

1. Bulk of the UN peacekeeping ops take place in Africa.

2. Here, SSR play crucial role in peace, stability, poverty removal and good governance.3. The Sovereign (host African) country should decide the mandate of (international)

peacekeeping forces.

4. If Rule of law is strictly enforced, many civil wars & conflicts can be prevented.

5. Therefore, UN should help not only during crisis but also for long term capacity building


12/13



of these (African) armies, police, jail authorities, border patrol, immigration service and

judiciary.

6. UN should also help in rehabilitation of former rebels, child soldiers, victims;

disarmament of weapons; arms embargo; combat organized crime and corruption; ensure

gender justice etc.

7. SSR requires broader political reforms with participation of civil society and jholachhap

NGOs.

8. Include more women in security forces, exclude (African) mass rapists, mass murders and

child right abusers from joining national security forces (usually after peace agreementbetween African rebels and bogus government such criminals get plump posting in the

army and police.)

Mock Question

Examine the need for Securities Sector Reform (SSR), and discuss the stand of India and

UNSC on this i ssue (200 words)

Why need?

Security forces are essential to ensure human rights and justice to all, particularly during

civil war, natural disasters and other humanitarian crisis.

In last decade UN sent nearly a dozen peacekeeping Ops in Africa- they played a pivotal

role in peace, stability, poverty removal and good governance,

but even after peace agreements between government and rebels these African countries

have relapsed in turmoil (e.g. South Sudan)

To make peoples live safer, these UN missions must become more accountable and

effective.

Therefore, in 2007 UN Secretary General setup a task force on securities sector reforms

(SSR)

Indias stand

1. To prevent the feeling of Neo-Colonization in (African) host countries, UN should keep its

footprint minimal during peacekeeping operations.

2. We should ensure sustainable national ownership of the SSR process- host country

should decide the mandate of UN ops based on their political priorities.

3. UN peacekeeping mission should be run in cost-effective manner and not with cost-cutting

mindset.

4. They should ensure public order until normalcy is brought.

5. Clean and Impartial recruitment in (national) security forces, to protect the human rights of

ethnic minorities.

UNSC

In addition to above points by India, UNSC resolution in 2014, also includes following:

1. Long term capacity building of armies, police, jail authorities, border patrol, immigration

& judiciary.

2. Rehabilitation of former rebels, child soldiers and victims.

3. Disarmament & arms embargo

4. combat organized crime and corruption5. Broader political reforms with participation of civil society.

6. Gender justice, more women in security forces.

~250 words.


13/13


D7: UN-IOC Sports for development and Peace

UN and IOC has signed an agreement Sports for development and Peace

To use sports for promoting peace and economic development.

Features

Joint sporting initiatives with help of International Olympics Committee and its allies vs.

UN, its member states, Specialized agencies and goodwill ambassadors (like Suresh

Kalmadi and Sheila Dixit.)

Educate youth via sports: learn while you playSports to increase interaction of margined society with rest of the world .

In conflict areas like Syria and S.Sudan, Sports can help restore some normalcy.

Sports can motivate children to enroll in schools.

Sports can empower girls, give them leadership skills.

Even HIV, drug abuse and environment protection messages can be taught via sports.

Visit Mrunal.org/CURRENTfor entire Archive weekly current affairs compilations published so

far.

URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2014/05/current-april-week4-p3-diplomacy-international-

relations-teesta-water-sharing-china-bdca-pact-us-facta-treaty-hamas-fatah-unity-deal-un-

security-sector-reform-bhutan-hydroproject.html

Posted By Mrunal On 13/05/2014 @ 22:40 In the category Current Affairs Weekly
http://mrunal.org/current

Mrunal [Current] April-Week4-P3_ Diplomacy International Relations-Teesta Water Sharing, China BDCA...

Documents

Transcript of Mrunal [Current] April-Week4-P3_ Diplomacy International Relations-Teesta Water Sharing, China BDCA...