On the foreign policy front, India is confident and playing on the front foot even as it cautiously watches various developments around its neighbourhood and the world at large. In the past few years, India has increased its appetite for risk taking and playing it boldly in the global arena. In this regard, let us look at some of the events that are expected in this week ahead:
1. Indian Foreign Policy
The newly elected Sri Lankan President, Lt Colonel Gotabaya Rajapaksa, will be visiting India from November 29th- December 1st, 2019. He will lead an eight- member delegation. This will be his first foreign visit after resuming the presidency. An exact schedule is yet to be known, however, a meeting with the Indian PM and other functionaries is expected. This will provide both the sides an opportunity to start afresh and boost the friendly and historical relationship between the two nations. Even as the dragon attempts to trap the Lankan Lions, the Indian tigers will be focusing on development related cooperation and skill development of the island nation.
India and Japan will hold their first combined 2+2 strategic dialogue on November 30th, 2019 in New Delhi. This will be first combined dialogue between the Defence and External Affairs/Foreign Ministers of the two nations. Though the 2+2 dialogue has existed since 2010 between the two nations. Issues related to defence cooperation, developments in the Asia-Pacific region and global developments are expected to be discussed during this meeting. This meeting comes ahead of the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to India in December 2019 for a summit level meeting.
Also Read: NewsMobile Explainer: 2+2 Dialogue Mechanism
Pakistan continues to disrupt peace in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the security forces have foiled their nefarious designs. There may be an attempt to infiltrate terrorists across the Line of Control as winter approaches the sub-continent.
The Union cabinet has approved a deferred payment of spectrum fees of various telecom companies totaling Rs 42, 336 crores, over a period of 2 years. Foreign investors have welcomed it, however seem only partially satisfied and are seeking further relief from overwhelming tax rates (according to estimates, 30% of total telecom revenues of companies accrue as taxes) and payments as part of the Adjusted Gross Revenue (ADR).
Also Read: Cabinet approves sale of stakes in BPCL, 4 other PSUs; here are the key takeaways
Imphal (Manipur) and Mandalay (Myanmar) now have a direct flight connection. The only other place to be directly connected to Myanmar by air from India is Gaya (Bihar).
2. Tensions in West Asia
The protests that have engulfed Lebanon and Iraq, point towards the waning influence of Iran in the region. Hezbollah, a Shia extremist group is losing influence in Lebanon, even as the people seek relief from various economic hard ships and a change in the political leadership that reflects the character of an aspiring and young Lebanon. Iran funded and used the group to carry out activities against Israel and support the Assad regime in Syria.
The people of Iraq have expressed their desire to throw out the current regime, which is dominated by the Shias. Even a Shia cleric has denounced the role of Iran and its backed regime. The government is using troops trained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards against the protesters. Iran hopes to perpetuate the rule of a puppet regime and continue to dominate developments in the West Asian region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been indicted in cases pertaining to corruption, breach of trust and bribery. However, this is not expected to impact his political fortunes. There is also political instability prevailing in the nation. 2019 has seen two elections which have resulted in inconclusive verdicts. None of the parties have been able to form the government with clear majorities. Israel may be headed for fresh polls soon.
3. Neighbourhood Watch
Even as the new Sri Lankan President took over, the government resigned and the new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in along with other ministers. This will be an interim government before the President can dissolve the parliament and announce fresh elections sometime in March 2020. There are talks of the 19th Constitutional Amendment Act being abolished. The Act strengthens the independence of various institutions including judiciary, limits the term of the President to two terms and places various restrictions on the executive power of the President.
On India’s western front, the land of pure seems to be maintaining radio silence even as factionalism has gripped the selectors also known as the Khalai Maqlooks (read as Pakistan Army) due to an extension granted to General Qamar Bajwa. The High Court of Peshawar is considering this matter currently.
The ‘selected Prime Minister’, Imran Khan Niazi is finding it tough to face the bouncers (economic woes, security challenges and sit in’s) that threaten to shorten his term. Match fixing isn’t helping him at all.
4. Protests around the world
Popular protests, civil society demonstrations have rocked various nations around the world. There is one lesson for all rulers, people and people’s welfare cannot be taken for granted. Economic development, political emancipation and welfare have to be made a part of policy making across the world. The rulers will also have to shed old colonial ideas and innovate in the modern times. Protests in Bolivia, Columbia, Chile and other parts of South America indicate this growing trend. These protests are expected to continue this week.
China will face the consequences of a brutal crackdown on protesters in the Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region). The US Congress has already passed a slew of legislations targeting China and its officials. This comes at a time when China’s duplicity is being exposed before the world, as it lectures other nations including India (on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir) on the issue of human rights.
5. Miscellaneous news
The world will observe the “International day for the elimination of violence against women” on 25th November.
It will also be the 11th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks on November 26th. In 2008, cowardly terrorists supported and armed by Pakistan, which has also been described as “terroristan” by an Indian diplomat, attacked and killed more than 170 people and injure many in the city of Mumbai.
29th November is also the “International day of solidarity with the Palestinian people”.