August 2024)
TOPICS TO BE COVERED
• INDIA JAPAN 2+2 MINISTERIAL DIALOGUE
• QUAD
• MALAYSIAN PM VISITS INDIA
• MCQs
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INDIA JAPAN 2+2 MINISTERIAL DIALOGUE
The third India-Japan 2+2 ministerial meeting was conducted in New Delhi.
WHAT IS 2+2 MINISTERIAL MEETING?
Two ministers on behalf of India ie Defence & EAM meet their counterparts from the other country. (in this case, Japan)
The India-Japan 2+2 ministerial meeting was held after a gap of nearly two years, with the last edition held in Tokyo on 8 September 2022.
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DOES INDIA HAVE SUCH A DIALOGUE MECHANISM WITH JAPAN ONLY?
NO.
India has a 2+2 ministerial level dialogue with the following countries:
• USA
• Japan
• Australia
• Russia
India also has a 2+2 official level dialogue with The UK. (Foreign & Defence Secretaries of the India & UK meet)
WHAT WAS DISCUSSED?
• QUAD & Indo Pacific:
o In a joint statement Tuesday, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Quad, a month after foreign ministers of the grouping met in Tokyo.
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o In the joint statement, the ministers highlighted their common strategic vision towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.
o They reaffirmed the importance of multilateral defence cooperation and exchanges in the Indo-Pacific region
• Space & Cyber Cooperation
• Root out Terror Safe Havens:
o In the joint statement, the two counties “unequivocally” condemned terrorism. The statement also called for bringing the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Pathankot, and other attacks “to justice”.
o It also called for concerted actions against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and their proxy groups.
o The statement also underlined the need to “root out terrorists’ safe havens, eliminate terrorist financing channels, and halt cross-border movement of terrorists”.
• Unicorn:
o Japan’s ‘Unicorn’ (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) naval communication antenna were also discussed during the 2+2 ministerial meeting Tuesday.
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o It will accelerate the discussions on the transfer of ‘Unicorn’, the cutting-edge naval communication antennas for warships. Its ability to integrate multiple antennas is said to enhance a warship’s stealth capabilities.
• Exercise Veer Guardian:
o During the talks, Kihara cited Japan and India’s first joint fighter jet exercise as a step in the right direction, according to Yosuke. In January last year, the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) and Indian Air Force (IAF) held their maiden bilateral air exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2023’.
Joint Statement: https://www.mofa.go.jp/s_sa/sw/in/pageite_000001_00002.html
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QUAD
QUAD is a strategic organisation formed by USA, Japan, Australia & India for the Indo Pacific.
Indo Pacific is home to more than 64% of the global population and which contributes over 60% of world's GDP.
About half of the global trade happens through the maritime trade routes in this region.
ABOUT QUAD:
The grouping of four democracies –India, Australia, US and Japan– is known as the quadrilateral security dialogue or quad.
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AIM OF QUAD:
The aim of this grouping is to ensure a free and open international order based on the rule of law in the Indo- Pacific.
OBJECTIVES:
• Maritime security,
• Combating the Covid-19 crisis, especially vis-à-vis vaccine diplomacy,
• Addressing the risks of climate change,
• Creating an ecosystem for investment in the region and
• Boosting technological innovation.
EVOLUTION OF QUAD:
• Following the Indian Ocean tsunami, India, Japan, Australia, and the US created an informal alliance to collaborate on disaster relief efforts.
• Quad as a formal group was first mooted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007.
• However, due to Chinese resistance and reluctance shown by India, it could not move ahead.
• Later, during the 2017 ASEAN Summits, all four former members re-joined negotiations to revive the quadrilateral alliance.
• The Quad was upgraded to the ministerial level in September 2019.
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MALAYSIAN PM VISITS INDIA
The Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim visits India.
The key outcome among other outcomes was India Malaysia partnership has been upgraded to Comprehensive strategic Partnership.
HISTORY OF THE TIES
Diplomatic Beginnings: India established diplomatic relations with the Federation of Malaya (which later became Malaysia) in 1957. This marked the formal start of bilateral interactions.
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1960s Relationship: The relationship between the two countries was notably strong during the 1960s, facilitated by the personal friendship between Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra.
• Recent Initiatives:
o PM Abdullah Badawi (2004-2009): Under his leadership, Malaysia actively worked to enhance relations with India through various initiatives.
o PM Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Abdul Razak: His tenure also saw efforts to strengthen bilateral ties with India.
• People-to-People Relations:
o Indian Diaspora: Malaysia is home to approximately 2.75 million Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), making it the second largest PIO community globally and the third largest Indian diaspora worldwide, totaling about 2.9 million. This significant diaspora fosters strong cultural and personal connections between the two countries.
o Enhanced Strategic Partnership: In November 2015, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Malaysia, the bilateral relationship was elevated to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership. This upgrade marked a new phase in the relationship, emphasizing deeper cooperation across multiple sectors.
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KEY EVENTS
• Ceremonial Reception: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan and paid respects at Raj Ghat.
• Meetings: Discussions were held with Prime Minister Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also addressed the Indian Council of World Affairs.
• MoUs Signed: The leaders witnessed the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as recruitment, Ayurveda, digital technologies, culture, tourism, and financial services.
KEY OUTCOMES
• Comprehensive Strategic Partnership:
o The leaders agreed that the Enhanced Strategic Partnership, established in 2015, has evolved into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting deepening bilateral engagement across various sectors.
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• Economic and Trade Relations:
o Trade Volume: Bilateral trade has reached a record high of $19.5 billion. Both leaders urged for continued growth in trade and investment, supported by the high-level CEOs Forum.
o Investment: Growing bilateral investments were welcomed, with encouragement for cooperation across multiple sectors.
o ASEAN-India Trade: Both sides agreed to expedite the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) and strengthen supply chains.
• Digital and Technological Cooperation:
o Digital Technologies: A new MoU was signed, and the formation of a Malaysia-India Digital Council was encouraged to boost collaboration in areas like 5G, quantum computing, and cybersecurity.
o Start-ups: Discussions between Start-up India and Cradle Fund of Malaysia will continue through an India-Malaysia Start-up Alliance.
• Defense and Security:
o Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of defense cooperation and agreed to enhance collaboration through regular dialogues, exercises, and R&D.
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• Terrorism and Organized Crime:
o The leaders condemned terrorism and committed to working together to counter terrorism and transnational organized crime, emphasizing information sharing and best practices.
• Higher Education and Capacity Building:
o Education: Malaysia welcomed 100 seats under India’s ITEC Programme for training in cybersecurity, AI, and machine learning.
o New Initiatives: Establishment of the Ayurveda Chair at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and the Tiruvalluvar Chair of Indian Studies at Universiti Malaya was discussed.
• Climate Change and Sustainable Energy:
o International Cooperation: Both countries committed to addressing climate change, recognizing India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Malaysia will join the International Big Cat Alliance as a founding member.
• Tourism and People-to-People Exchanges:
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o Visa Regimes: The relaxation of visa regimes was noted, with a focus on increasing tourism flows. India will designate 2026 as Visit Malaysia year.
• International and Multilateral Cooperation:
o UN Reforms: Both leaders pledged to work together to enhance multilateralism and support for a reformed UN Security Council, with India appreciating Malaysia’s backing for India’s permanent membership.
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MCQs
1. Which of the following ministers participate in 2+2 dialogue?
(A) PMs & EAMs
(B) Defence Ministers & Ministers of Finance
(C) Defence Ministers & EAMs
(D) None of the above.
Ans. (C)
2. With which of the following country India has a 2+2 ministerial dialogue?
Australia
France
(A) Only 1 & 3
(B) Only 1 & 2
(C) Only 1
(D) All of the above
Ans. (C)
3
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Consider the following statements and mark the correct one:
1. QUAD was conceptualised in the aftermath of Tsunami of 2004.
2. The idea of QUAD was mooted by USA for the very first time.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 & 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2.
Ans. (A)
4. Consider the following statements wrt India Malaysia ties and mark the correct one:
1. Diplomatic ties between them were established in 1962.
2. Both share a comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 & 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. (B)
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5 Which year is designated as Visit Malaysia year by India?
(A) 2024
(B) 2025
(C) 2026
(D) 2027
Ans. (C)