HOW CHINA IS CAPTURING THE WORLD IN 21ST CENTURY..

Debt Trap Diplomacy:-

              

                  In the second half of the 20th century, the World never saw any big wars like the World Wars. So apart from some bilateral wars, the World was entering the new on paper peace era. But after the cold war, Making strong allies and holding key Geo-strategic locations became very important. The only drawback of making strong allies is you are having 50-50 percent in every agreement. So to totally overpower the economically weaker nations and gaining key locations, China introduced Debt Trap Diplomacy.

                  In which China gives a huge amount of loans to smaller nations and if unable to repay, China will take some part of the nation like 'Ports'. Most of the investment done was in Infrastructure like Roads, Rails routes, etc. In the first decade of the 21st century, loans were given to African and Asian nations like Kenya and Sri Lanka. In later stages, many other countries were added like Ecuador in Latin America. China's Foreign Direct Investment (F.D.I.) in these nations is increasing exponentially in the last decade. There are various initiatives of China like the Belt and Road Initiative (B.R.I.) and the collective name given to them is Debt Trap Diplomacy. 

                      List of countries where China has invested heavily:-

AFRICA:-                                                                                       

1. Angola                        6. Nigeria                                  

2. Ethiopia                      7. South Africa                        

3. Zambia                        8. Kenya                                 

4. Republic of Congo      9. Djibouti                              

5. North Sudan               10. Egypt                                 

ASIA:- 

1. Sri Lanka  

2. Pakistan

3. Malaysia

4. Indonesia

5. Laos

SOUTH AMERICA:-                                                        

1. Ecuador                                                                           

2. Argentina                                                                                          

3. Venezuela                                                                         

4. Brazil                                                                               

5. Caribbean Region                                                            

INVESTMENT DONE UNDER B.R.I.:-                      

1. Kazakhstan 

2. Mongolia   

3. Montenegro 

4. Maldives

5. Kyrgyzstan

6. Tajikistan

         

                     After reading the above list, If you feel that Europe has been spared from this plan. Then let me correct you, Piraeus port of Greece has been taken by China to transform it into the biggest port in Europe. Haifa port in Israel, Various ports, and projects in North-Western Europe are funded by China. A total of 138 Countries have signed Memorandum Of Understanding (M.O.U.) of B.R.I. out of which 38 are European Countries (Constituting 18 EU Countries too). Though major countries like France have opposed the B.R.I. but Countries like Italy are interested to join hands with China.    

                      Till the dawn of the 21st century, the USA and Russia were the major players but China entered the game with a bang in the past 2 decades. Recently, Hambantota port, Sri Lanka, and Port of Doraleh, Djibouti has been taken by China due inability of the respective government to repay the loans. Though the failure of repaying the loans by these countries affects the Chinese economy. China has refused to disclose the amount of loan given and the terms and conditions of the agreement. Still, the estimated cost is multi-Billion USD and the estimated cost of B.R.I. is multi-Trillion USD. To counter it the USA is seeing India as a potential countermeasure ally. There should be stronger allies and a firm plan to counter these fast-spreading effects of a dragon.

 

Signing off for the day, See you guys in the next blog...

Regards,

Bhargav Deshpande

HUNTING DOWN ENEMIES BEYOND VISUAL RANGE..

ASTRA:-

 

             

    Photo-Ministry of Defence, Govt. Of India        

              As its name suggest. ASTRA, which means weapon. The name is taken from Indian mythology. Most of the India's air to air missiles were imported from Russia. Namely R-77 were used for aerial warfare. But in late 1990s India started it's research on indigenously developed Astra Beyond Visual Range Air to Air missile (B.V.R.A.A.M.) . It was revealed to public in Aero India 1998. Under D.R.D.O. (Defence Research and Development Organisation), H.A.L. (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) and E.C.I.L. (Electronic Corporation of India Limited) Project was officially sanctioned in 2004 with budget of Rs. 955 Crore.

                In 2006 initial design was changed for enhancing performance and was tested in 2008 but that too was changed till 2013 for correction in flight control surfaces. Several test were conducted from ground and from Sukhoi Su-30MKI between 2012-2017. After which Astra was cleared for production and supposed to use on Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Mig-29K, Mirage 2000 and LCA Tejas versions. Though testing is still going on as India is still developing various versions using infrared homing for close combat and using different propulsion system to increase its operational range.

                Range of the missile is 160 km in head on chase and 40 km in tail chase mode. But the range of missile changes due to various reasons. With 15 kg of highly explosive warhead, Maximum operational altitude is 20 km but range is maximum when fired from altitude of 3 Km. Unique feature about Astra is that it has Electronic counter-countermeasures which allows operation even after enemy jam the seeker of the missile. Speed of the missile is 4.7 mach powered by smokeless solid fueled motor (As you can see it in the image). 

                 Concluding, In today's scenario India highly needs B.V.R. because its game of who sees the enemy first. In the last month MOD approved procurement of 247 Astra missile for Indian Air Force and Indian Navy amid border tensions with China. India was also thinking of inducting missile from Python series (I-Derby) developed by Israel. But using indigenous system is best option. As India is using Test, Trace, Treat method for Covid-19 situation, India should apply same for this development projects too. Test the missile, Trace the problem and Treat it with newly developed system because India have to compete with highly advanced missiles like Meteor, A.M.R.A.A.M and PL-12.

If you have any doubt please leave it in comment section I will try to clear it. Till then Ta-Ta.

Regards,

Bhargav Deshpande   

                

 

INDIA'S LOOK EAST POLICY PART (2/2)

Alliances and Strategy:-

                   India and A.S.E.A.N.:- A.S.E.A.N. was formed in 1967 between South East nations for cooperation. In 1992 India was given a chance to become a dialogue partner. In a couple of years, India became a full member of A.R.F. (A.S.E.A.N. regional Forum). This provided India a required boost for the policy but India's nuclear testing in 1998 and the growing financial crisis between South-east nations stalled the progress. From 2002 to 2009, India and A.S.E.A.N. negotiated for Free Trade Area and finalized it in 2009 with various low tariffs. India had a trade of almost 85 Billion US dollars, But Trade deficit was almost 15 Billion US dollars. Which marks some of the negative parts of the trade. As the Indian market is more open for A.S.E.A.N. than their's to India.

                India and S.A.A.R.C.:- S.A.A.R.C. was formed in 1985 with the same intention of having strong allies in the neighbor. In S.A.A.R.C. we have countries from not only the east side of India but also from the west side like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and The Maldives. Initially, S.A.A.R.C. nations decided to have relaxations in Visa in member countries. Also, Free Trade Area (S.A.F.T.A.) was discussed but it was unable to make a mark in the GDP of the world as an Association. India invited leaders of S.A.A.R.C. nations for the swearing-in ceremony of PM Narendra Modi in 2014. Before 2014 world leaders were never invited for the swearing-in ceremony. In the Initial years, progress was really slow which continued afterward also due to constant deteriorating bilateral relations. Most of the members of S.A.A.R.C. have border issues with each other. Constantly changing the ruling government and their constantly changing international policy have hampered the growth as a group. Which became the exact reason why India shifted its focus to B.I.M.S.T.E.C. 

                   India and B.I.M.S.T.E.C.:- B.I.M.S.T.E.C. was formed in 1997 to increase cooperation between the nations along the Bay of Bengal. This time PM Narendra Modi invited B.I.M.S.T.E.C. leaders for the swearing-in ceremony of 2019. Typically, We have Free Trade Area agreement with these countries. Cooperation in Coast shipping, Power grid interconnections are some of the important projects of the associated nations. Most of the members are common with S.A.A.R.C. apart from Myanmar and Thailand. 

                         India and M.G.C.:- M.G.C. was formed in 2000. Being the youngest of all and also having countries with a comparatively smaller economy, progress has been really slow. Various agreements are being discussed and signed. We are yet to have an actual ground report on development due to M.G.C. India, Myanmar, and Thailand have decided to build a road from India to Thailand via Myanmar which is under progress. India is also trying to restart the World war 2 era road named Ledo road to Yunnan (China). 

                        India and Japan:- As China started increasing relations with Pakistan for trying to chock India from both sides. India started building its relations with Japan and Afghanistan. Without any doubt, Japan is the world's most technologically advanced country and has so much to offer to India like Mumbai to Ahmadabad bullet train and Delhi metro project. Japan is also having many problems with China in the South China sea. India-Japan-US started a trilateral Naval exercise named Malabar exercise. Now India is inviting Australia for the Malabar exercise ignoring China's warnings. Making a new shift in regional politics.

                     India and Australia:- As mentioned above apart from the Malabar exercise, India is importing Uranium from Australia. Traditionally, India used to buy Uranium from Canada but to match the huge requirements and simultaneously tackling N.S.G. norms India has managed to sign the deal with Australia. Trade is also growing exponentially from 6.5 Billion Australian dollars in 2003 to 22  Billion Australian Dollars in 2012 and is growing strong.

                  

                 Conclusion:- After the 2014 Look east policy has been changed to Act East Policy. In this policy also India is having the same motto with all the above organizations and countries like cooperation in Tourism, Culture, Education, Technology and transportation, etc. May it be building roads or rail routes through Myanmar or having a Free Trade Area. Getting into A.S.E.A.N. is really important as India can counter China at the bottleneck. But what India is lagging is in the aggressive steps taken in regional politics. Like China took the Gwadar and Hambantota port from Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively, also China is taking away Russia from India as a strategic partner. It's not like India should follow China's debt-trap policy. But India must have firm and decisive steps to counter it and be at a driving position of Regional politics. Though in the last few years India is making its way back into the game. Increasing allies in the east and simultaneously making its Defence forces stronger. Reducing the trade deficit with these nations must be the first task of India. A smaller organization like B.B.I.N. (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal) is also working with the same goal. As a developing country, we have many areas yet to be developed in which these smaller but technologically advanced nations can help us to be a better position in world politics.

  

Signing off for the day, See you guys in the next blog.

Regards,

Bhargav Deshpande 

                        

                            

 

INDIA'S LOOK EAST POLICY-PART (1/2)

History and Initial Years:-

                   After World war 2 ended in 1945, the decentralization of power started in the World. England, France, and Germany became economically weaker and two new superpowers emerged, the first one being the USA (United States Of America) and second, being the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and the Cold War started between these two Countries in 1947 for getting the upper hand in international politics. But in 1991 USSR got separated which resulted in the end of the Cold war. 

                 In this whole scenario India never actually became the part of the Cold war but got a lot more Military support and equipment from USSR. But after the separation of the USSR, India's Foreign policy changed drastically along with the liberalization of the economy under the government of Late Honorable PM P. V. Narasimha Rao. Which allowed India to freely open its market to the world.  

                  In 1962, India and China fought the war, and a new regional enemy formed for India. In the late 20th century the People's Republic Of China was becoming a contender of the superpower crown. China's influence in the South China Sea and in the Indian Ocean started soaring. Also, Border disputes were occurring on regular basis between India and China.

                  So in 1991, India decided to LOOK EAST for Economic, Strategic, and Military allies. India and southeast Asian countries used to have cultural and economic activities for a longer period. Slowly but steadily India started getting into the regional alliance of A.S.E.A.N. (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) also increased its effectiveness in S.A.A.R.C. (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) and B.I.M.S.T.E.C. (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral, Technical and Economic Co-operation). In the initial 10 years of the policy, it was only about gaining some ground in the region. India managed to do it successfully. In 1992 India used to have a trade of 2 billion US Dollars which raised considerably to 20 Billion US Dollars in 2002 with these countries. In 2000, M.G.C. (Mekong-Ganga Cooperation) was formed between India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam for cooperation in Culture, Tourism, Education, and Transportation. From the past 3 decades it's been Tug of War between India and China for getting friendly allies in each other's neighbors and the game is still ON.

I will explain more about India and these organization's action plan in the next part. See you guys in Part (2 /2).

Regards,

Bhargav Deshpande