Business Policy World

Economic Divergence Unfolds

India has emerged as fastest growing economy with 8.7 per cent surge while China struggled to stay afloat with $ 5.5 trillion package K.A.Badarinath It’s a tale in contrast. The two countries have always been viewed as competitors to gain global footprint, acceptability and reach. Presently, the two nations in question are going through a differential economic curve that depicts a picture in contrast. Without second guess, one would easily make out that it’s the economic story of China and India that are unfolding differently in the backdrop of a huge crisis in Eastern Europe and Baltic region, rise in commodity prices leading to huge inflationary pressures and thereby tightening of money policy by central banks. The humungous fiscal stimulus package announced by President Xi Jinping’s administration indicates that not everything is going right for China’s economy that’s in complete control of the Communist Party of China, its minions and the oligarchs. Protracted lockdowns in various cities of China owing to Covid 19 pandemic has pushed the dragon country’s economy into an abyss. While it struggles to stay afloat with positive growth, China has lost its exalted position as the fastest growing country. President Xi, cabinet, state council and CPC decision to pump prime the economy speaks volumes on the crisis that has rattled the world’s second largest economy. Ukraine war, disruption in its supply chains and resultant slide in manufacturing growth has led to rampant pink slips and loss of livelihoods. Bloomberg’s back of the envelope calculation put the fiscal stimulus at $ 5.3 trillion that President Xi’s communist administration has announced. From deep tax rebates, cheap loans, withdrawal of restrictions on automobiles buying to booster dose for e-platform companies, China seems to be trying every trick to get back the growth mojo. Already, Chinese monetary authorities and its central bank seem to have reconciled to the challenge faced in achieving downwardly revised growth of 5.5 per cent in 2022. Investment bank UBS forecast of 4.2 – 3 per cent growth in China has not only unnerved President Xi who’s preparing for third term coronation in September. Earlier this week, J.P.Morgan had also cut the China growth forecast to 3.7 per cent from earlier 4.2 per cent. There seems to be no easy way out of economic bind in which China has landed itself especially after the Communist regime went on a war path against the growth drivers like the big home grown technology companies and platform enterprises. David Qu, Bloomberg’s China economist may be right when he says that Chinese central bank has now only played a supportive role. And, the government’s fiscal measures had more space to support growth in the $ 17 trillion Chinese economy. Implementing the fiscal package may also pose a big problem as there’s reported resistance from states and local governments whose finances are already fragile, borrowings touching the roof and very little elbow room to undertake development projects. Otherwise, there’s no plausible reason for Xi’s administration to send dedicated task forces to 12 provinces to realize the actual economic package. In contrast, Indian that’s celebrating eight years of BJP government in office is on a virtual high. Prime Minister Modi’s decisive leadership to deliver on economic and development front has worked. India has emerged as the fastest growing economy globally displacing China with 8.7 per cent GDP uptick in fiscal year ending April 2022. Incidentally, this is the highest growth posted by India in 22 years after 8.8 per cent reported in 2000. India with its $ 3 trillion economy is making waves globally with new partnerships and markets thereby creating new work opportunities for the aspiring youth. Having navigated the two difficult waves of Covid 19 pandemic relatively unscathed, India’s reading along with its partners like Australia, Japan and US to displace China with alternative and sustainable supply Chains. If one were to go by chief economic advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran, even in current fiscal, India’s economic growth has been estimated at 7.5 – 8 per cent. At this juncture, these projections may look daunting due to slide reported in January – March 2022 at 4.1 per cent. Economic resilience back home and deft management is what one can bank upon to realize this expansion. Core sector performance of 8.6 per cent spread over eight infrastructure areas during April 2022 provides enough optimism for maintaining the growth momentum in the Indian context. Given the government’s continued commitment to invest over Rs 750,000 crore across infrastructure areas, India will continue to be the brightest spot in the global growth sweepstakes. Given the hard work put in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government in last eight years, retaining the tag of fastest growing economy should be celebrated as a big leap forward. This does not mean that Indian leadership should be carried away by the euphoria and not recognize the challenges like crude prices touching $ 120 as against budgeted $ 75 per barrel apart from surge in other commodities prices. If data available with credible agencies like International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank are anything to go by, then India may be the only large economy that would post GDP growth beyond 7 per cent till 2025. Creating jobs for millions of unskilled, semi-skilled and low-end earners in rural hinterlands may have to be the focus while Prime Minister Modi’s government goes about methodically in economic integration to evolve India as a unified behemoth. (Author is Director & Chief Executive of Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies based in New Delhi.)

Human Rights

778

Nehru – Liaquat Pact Dumped!

Persecution of minority Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists & Jains in Pakistan led to CAA in India Pankaj Singh / New Delhi Indian and Pakistan governments entered into pact on security and rights of minorities on April 8, 1950. The famed Nehru-Liaquat agreement was signed in the backdrop of unprecedented and large-scale migration of persons belonging to minority communities between the two countries after East Pakistan and Noakhali riots. Nehru-Liaquat agreement encompasses inter alia, complete equality of citizenship, irrespective of religion, a full sense of security in respect of life, culture, property and personal honour, freedom of movement within each country, occupation, speech and worship subject to law and morality. India and Pakistan agreed that minorities will have equal opportunity vis-à-vis majority community to participate in public life and hold political office. Both the governments declared that these rights were fundamental. Both sides agreed to such rights for migrants from East Bengal, West Bengal, Assam and Tripura where communal violence occurred. They committed to freedom of movement and protection during transit, rights of ownership in or occupancy of the immovable property of migrants shall not be disturbed. If such property was disturbed during his absence, it shall be returned to him or her in case they return by December 31, 1950. In cases where restoration of such immovable property to migrants who return within stipulated time was not possible, the two governments were to take appropriate steps to rehabilitate them. Scope of these terms was general based on exigency and prevailing situation at that time in India and Pakistan. In a nutshell, the idea behind signing of the pact was to provide a framework and obligations for treatment of minorities in both the countries post-Independence. India kept its word and protected its minorities. But, successive governments in Pakistan failed to protect the minorities. These rights were guaranteed to all minorities as per specific provisions in the Indian Constitution. Similar provisions do exist in the Objectives Resolution adopted by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. There was always an element of doubt on Pakistan sticking to its commitment to equitably treat the minority Hindus in its territory. This lingering apprehension got intense after Pakistan declared itself as an Islamic State in 1973. Violence that followed after partition is still sore for the two countries till date. Discrimination hitherto limited to political leadership and military establishment seems to have seeped into the Pakistan society with Islamist extremists holding sway. Otherwise, how does one explain two Sikh businessmen being shot dead on May 15, 2022 by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province? While the state turned mute spectator, minority Hindus continued to get targeted elsewhere. Anti-Hindu protests staged outside temples in cities and towns of southern Pakistan where most Pakistani Hindus live bear testimony to state of minorities in the South Asian country. One Hindu man was killed and four temples were damaged by Muslim demonstrators. Muslims attacked temples across Pakistan. What stands out is the government of this overwhelmingly muslim majority nation that closed offices and schools for one day to protest the destruction of the Babri mosque in India. Marchers shouted slogans such as “Crush India” and “Death to Hinduism”. In Lahore, Punjab’s capital, muslims used a bulldozer, hammers and bare hands to demolish the Jain temple near Punjab University. As per National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) of Pakistan, Hindu population may be around eight million today. Hindu population of Pakistan is geographically concentrated in rural areas of Sindh province where more than 90 per cent of them live. Small groups of Hindus can be found in Balochistan and Punjab as well. Hindus of Pakistan residing in the interior of Sindh or Balochistan belong principally to the untouchable class, scheduled caste Hindus. Many of them are landless bonded labourers working on lands of big Sindhi landlords (known as Jagirdars). Those who live in towns and cities also have a menial standing and are generally employed as sweepers or Jamadars.” In March 2019, protestors in Sindh attacked and burned Hindu shops as well as their temples following two incidents: in the first, one muslim maulvi accused a Hindu veterinarian of wrapping medicine with paper that had verses from the holy Quran. In the second, a student leveled blasphemy charges against principal of the school that happens to be a Hindu. In July 2020, Pakistan government backtracked on its decision to allow construction of a Hindu temple in Islamabad, largely under duress from Islamic terrorists, religious groups and parties. The tackling of religious extremism continued to be on low priority for Pakistan though communal violence, religious and sectarian hatred have become a regular feature. In one of these incidents, the shrine of a Hindu saint was vandalised and torched in Karak. International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) establishes obligations of state parties to respect, ensure racial equality and the right to be free from discrimination. Several other human rights treaties contain prohibitions on racial and other forms of discrimination, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Human Rights Council, the central human rights institution of the United Nations has affirmed that “racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance condoned by governmental policies violate human rights, as established in the relevant international and regional human rights instruments, and are incompatible with democracy, the rule of law and transparent and accountable governance.” The Human Rights Council has also urged “governments to summon the necessary political will to take decisive steps to combat racism in all its forms and manifestations.” As a state party, India has committed to upholding its human rights obligations under ICERD, ICCPR, and other international human rights law treaties “in good faith,” and may not invoke “provisions of its internal law as justification for its failure to perform a treaty.” In December 2019, Indian Parliament adopted the much debated Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). It was a courageous step that provides fast track to Indian citizenship for minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Disinformation Human Rights Misinformation World

561

US Figures Big On Human Rights Violations

Republicans & Democrats that point to rights violation and abuse elsewhere turn a blind eye on their own dubious record Neha Dahiya & Rohan Giri New Delhi US has turned out to be the biggest hub for racism, discrimination by colour, lack of freedom to express and is the biggest violator of basic human rights. While successive democratic and republican administrations at White House have made it their prime business to talk about purported rights violation elsewhere, they chose to turn blind eye to grave crimes in its own territory. Though several global organizations have been located in US, the country has failed miserably to stop wrong doings, ensure pluralism find uphold basic rights of its citizens. US has also been charged with massive rights violations in other countries While these crimes go either unreported or US administration has allowed racist violence to happen, the political leadership is now in a binge given that facts have come to light. Centre for Democracy, Pluralism and Human Rights (CDPHR), an Indian organisation working on human rights and democracy released a report on Wednesday highlighting massive violation of these basic rights in US. The well documented report running into over 140 pages has come into public domain at a time when American organizations have levelled charges against foreign governments on not enabling safeguard of religious freedom and human rights. Case in point is the routine reports released by United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) that talk about human rights violations in other countries. These US organizations by design or connivance with the political leadership in Washington DC seem to have ignored wrongdoings back home that they seek to eradicate elsewhere. People in US seem to have been kept in dark on such violations with a purpose said CDPHR in its latest report by Prerna Malhotra (Faculty at University of Delhi) and Arvind Kumar (Civil Rights Activist and writer based in US). Restrictions on free expression & media, violence, threats of violence, and unjustified arrests are some of the grave crimes that go unreported in US, said the report. The report charges US with building structural racism as part of its Constitution itself. Three-fifth clauses in US constitution violate the principle of equality. Fugitive Slave clause does not permit people to escape slavery. Third clause of fourth article in US Constitution authorises the enslavers to seize enslaved people. No person held to service or labour in one state under the laws was allowed to escape to other states. Unless discharged from such slavery, such labourers would be delivered back to the aggressors, as per US Constitutional provisions. Discrimination against those practicing non-Abrahamic faiths such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jain was on the rise in US. The holy symbols of Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists were desecrated or denigrated by politicians. For instance in January 2021, New York Senator Todd Kaminsky introduced a bill in New York Senate that proposed making it mandatory for schools in his state to teach ‘Swastika’, an auspicious and revered sign of Hindu Dharma, as an example of Hate. The Bill titled Senate Bill S2727 conflates the Dharmic Swastika with the Nazi sign of Hakenkreuz or Hooked Cross and mandates that the Swastika should be taught as an emblem of Nazi Germany. Therefore it should be taught as a Hate symbol from grade 6 through 12 in schools. The report points to normalization of gender discrimination and sexual violence in the USA. A study conducted on 1965 students in grade 7 – 12 revealed that 48 per cent students had faced some form of sexual harassment. Girls get sexually exploited by men in Power. Statistics show that nearly one in every five American women has been victims of rape or attempted rape. Big political names have figured in sexual exploitation, including the Presidents of the country. According to a study, one out of every five women has been raped at some point in their lives and nearly half of rape victims in the United States are raped by an acquaintance. In the workplace, women were discriminated in the United States that boasts of providing equal opportunities. The report revealed that 42 per cent of working women had experienced gender discrimination in the workplace, and 25 per cent paid fewer wages vis a vis their male counterparts for the same work. Children were also not spared in America. As per a report, in 2014, there were an estimated 42 million survivors of child abuse. It is rampant among government officials and politicians, but such cases are either covered up or the perpetrators are let off with light sentences. Racism against Black is always at a peak in the USA. Blacks were always used as pawns and puppets by the White supremacists, even the organisations of black were also controlled by whites. In America, poverty is higher among Blacks. They were routinely targeted with the intention to cull their population. Black women have the highest abortion rate in the country. Native Americans were also caged to poverty by the US Government. They were not allowed to manage their own lands since 1831, yet tribes were unable to make good their losses. Native Americans have their income 68 per cent below the national average, 20 per cent households earn less than $ 5000 annually as against 6 per cent national average, rape rate of wome n is 2.5 times higher and child abuse rate double. USA that talks big on humanitarian crises in the world may have to take responsibility for such crises in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. Over 241,000 people including 71,000 civilians were killed in the Afghan War initiated by the US in 2011on false pretext that it was in response to terror attacks against USA carried out on September 11, 2001. Taliban regime in Afghanistan itself was a creation of the US government. The takeover by the Taliban has precipitated another humanitarian crisis with 3.5 million Afghans internally displaced and another 2.2 million refugees with millions

Business Policy World

581

War on Inflation Must Continue

Second cut in duties on petrol & diesel, GST rates and further increase in interest rates may be some options to fight price rise K.A.Badarinath / New Delhi Spectre of high inflation and higher interest rates is back with a vengeance. Heady mix of the two make a lethal combination and turn out to be biggest sore points for a growth oriented finance minister like Nirmala Sitharaman. One is reminded of the high inflation and interest rates that singed the Indian economy during 2009 – 14 when the governance was under control of Harvard trained veterans like Dr Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister and Palaniappan Chidambaram as finance minister. India’s modern economic history bears testimony to their complete incompetence and failure thereby derailing the famed growth story that stood test of times till then. In 2009, G-20 Presidents and Prime Ministers had gathered in a summit mode at Pittsburgh in US to discuss the economic turmoil heaped on the world owing to collapse of American financial markets that has had contagion effect across geographies. The then US President Barrack Obama famously said that world leaders at the head table leaned heavily on wisdom of Dr Singh to steer the economy out of woods. Well, Dr Singh’s prescription may have had worked for others that went by the rule book. But, India’s economic turmoil thereafter was too huge owing to ‘inaction’ and ‘policy paralysis’ combined with rampant corruption that was hallmark of UPA government in its second tenure. Consumers paid through their nose. Investors lost big time. Real incomes of most people were lost. Pink slips were order of the day notwithstanding economic rescue packages announced by the inept UPA government with Pranab Mukherjee in finance ministry. Kitchen budgets had to be cut. Purchases had to be postponed by force. And, this phenomenon continued till 2014 when the Narendra Modi led juggernaut swept Lok Sabha polls and the first BJP-led majority government came to power post-independence. Today again, globally induced inflation has raised its ugly head again. Inflation in wholesale market has hit a record high of 15.08 per cent in April 2022. At retail level, the consumer price index is inching towards 8 per cent mark. Vegetables (23.24 per cent), Potatoes (19.84 per cent), wheat (10.7 per cent) have contributed big time to inflation last 13-months that has been in double digits. When the WPI passes through to consumers in next few months, the impact is bound to be devastating whether a policymaker concedes or not. Hardening of fuel and power inflation at 38.7 per cent in April 2022 would make things worse for consumers that have been worst hit hard due to two-years of Covid 19, Russia – Ukraine conflict and consequent spurt in commodity prices. Unlike the UPA of yesteryears or Joe Biden’s present democratic administration in US, Indian government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been proactive in limiting consumers and middle-class salaried peoples’ woes. Otherwise, tackling inflation would not have been prioritized over growth with sudden interest rate hike of 40 basis points and increase in cash reserve ratio, Standard Deposit Facility and Marginal Standing Facility. Another round of rate hikes has been anticipated by money policy experts when the multi-member policy committee of RBI meets next month. Another 50 basis points increase is what has been factored in by the markets. Pulling inflation below the acceptable six per cent at retail level is an imperative from which neither the RBI nor the Modi government can escape. Nirmala Sitharaman, on her part, began rolling out measures to counter surge in inflation beginning November 2021. Excise duty on diesel and petrol were slashed. This led to revenue losses of over Rs 49,500 crore. She was willing to absorb these revenue losses too. Food, fuel and fertilizer subsidies form a big chunk of Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget that projected a total spending of Rs 39.45 lakh crore (US $ 527 billion) during this fiscal. She will have to consider tinkering with subsidies to negate impact of high input costs for economy owing to elevated price levels internationally. While the cost push has had its run leading to high inflation globally, easing demand may bring in some respite for finance minister Sitharaman. But then, this war on inflation and prices has to continue in the Indian context like most other economies internationally. Finance Minister Sitharaman and RBI governor Shakti Kanta Das may have to reconcile at sacrificing more of projected 7.5 per cent growth this fiscal with spill over impact for 2023-24. While none should risk stagflation or recession, a fresh round of cut in taxes on petroleum products may have to be attempted to cool down inflationary pressures. Both states and centre may have to act in tandem on this front. Foregoing revenue may turn out to be a clincher for both central and state governments. Fortunately, buoyant money and equity markets, continued demand for goods and services has kept industrial manufacturers and service providers on toes to deliver. As the rate hikes seep in, slowing demand may make things trickier in few months from now. There’s very little elbowroom for the government to rejig the goods and services tax rates. In any case, slash in GST rates can be done only in consultation with state finance ministers that are already under tremendous pressure to meet ends. In this backdrop, government’s decision to continue with infrastructure thrust and spending of Rs 7.5 lakh crore this fiscal is refreshing. This only means that next round of interest rates hike may be front-loaded. Another possibility that government may have to consider is a flexibly designed economic rescue package that needs to be rolled out on mission mode. (Author is Director & Chief Executive of Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies based in New Delhi.)

Disinformation Fact Sheet Hindus Human Rights Misinformation

589

Listless Anti-India Propaganda Exposed!

Self-proclaimed intelligentsia attempt to eulogize terror, terrorists & their handlers do not hold water. It’s against basic grain of democracy! Neha Dahiya / New Delhi On April 19, self-claimed intellectual Arundhati Roy spoke on “Religious Nationalism, Dissent and the Battle between myth and history” in University of Texas at Austin. Laced with false propaganda, inherent extreme bias, intellectual bankruptcy, hatred and many factual errors, Arundhati Roy seems particularly rattled by the current government’s firm stand on putting an end to decades-old nexus of anti-India forces, NGOs and terror groups. In her speech, she relentlessly picked out the word, BJP, RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi depicting her obsession and self-constructed fear for the current Indian government. Claims versus facts on RSS Contrary to claims made by Arundhati Roy, whose links with terror outfits is well documented, RSS is neither fascist nor racist. RSS is the largest voluntary organisation that’s service oriented, inculcates patriotic spirit amongst the Hindus globally and pushes for sustainable development agenda for humanity rooted in ‘Sanatan dharma’, Indian civilizational values. From providing education opportunities to millions of under-privileged kids to empowering girl children and women, RSS has been at forefront in bringing about fundamental shift in Indian society that got emancipated from the long British imperialist rule. RSS human service during natural disasters either in India, US or Europe has been widely reported. From saving lives to providing succour, RSS volunteers had shown exemplary idealism especially during earthquakes, floods epidemics or hurricanes. Completely ignoring RSS long track record of humanitarian approach to peoples’ problems, Arundhati making desperate attempt to label the organization ‘fascist’ has no basis. In fact, Arundhati and her Leftist hooligans are the intolerant fascists that unleashed terror on patriotic RSS volunteers in states like Kerala and West Bengal. In these states, Marxist cadres supported and promoted by Arundhati Roy have murdered scores of RSS volunteers till date. Yet another substantiated charge made by Arundhati Roy was that RSS is setting fire to the country and attacking both Christians and Muslims in Kashmir. Militant cadres inspired by Mao Tse Tung including Arundhati Roy have played with fire and have blood on their hands in India. Arundhati Roy and her political principals are known to have provided weapons to innocent tribals in Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh to create unrest and disturb peace in these states. Self-proclaimed intellectuals like Arundhati Roy were known to have provided shelter to Left wing extremists as well as anti-India terror groups with a subversive agenda. Arundhati says that RSS centennial celebrations in 2025 will be a watershed moment in Indian history. She’s right in a way. Rise of Hindutva inspired Indian society and people are bound to play a larger role on global stage. Be it environment, human rights to women’s empowerment, RSS and Hindus will make their mark internationally with classical civilizational values like ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbatam’ being the war cry. Turning the entire humanity into a larger family is what the likes of Arundhati Roy seem serious frightened about. What’s wrong in exposing the opponents of RSS that came into being in 1925? One hundred years of eventful, non-profit work of RSS stands out through a bouquet of its organizations dedicated to prosperity and wellbeing of the humanity. RSS rose like a phoenix after having been banned four times, thrice by the successive intolerant Congress regimes in India and once by the British rulers. These restrictions on a democratic, open and norms based organization, did not adversely impact the pace, progress and growth of RSS. Manipulated data on Hindu festivals What flummoxed most Hindus is Arundhati Roy’s concocted charges that they wielded swords and sticks against Muslims during the sacred festivals, Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti. Each year, both Ram Navami and Muslim festival, Ramzan are celebrated more or less during same days leading to heightened tempers. Her ranting that Hindus were the first to provoke and attack muslims in eleven cities during the Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti processions is not based on based facts but figment of fertile imagination. In fact, on the ground in all eleven cities, it’s the peace-loving Hindus that were at the receiving end. Terror-linked Islamists urged and encouraged by the likes of Arundhati Roy attacked Hindus. On April 16, 2022, Islamist miscreants attacked Hindus in Delhi from all sides, pelted stones, beat up both the devotees of Ram & Hanuman as well as security personnel. Seven Islamists that were apprehended by the Delhi Police have past record of gambling and murder related crimes. In fact the attackers seriously injured eight police personnel manning law and order apart from one civilian. Three firearms and five swords recovered from the accused debunk claims of those supporting the arsonists. On April 11, 2022, in Khargone and Barwani of Madhya Pradesh, Islamists threw petrol bombs and stones on the procession and set many vehicles on fire. This incident has been given a different colour to suit the anti-Hindu and anti-India narrative peddled by Arundhati Roy and her comrades in arms. On April 11, 2022, in Himmatnagar of Indian western state Gujarat, Islamist arsonists attacked Hindu devotees that were peacefully singing bhajans in praise of Lord Ram during Ram Navami procession. Islamists hurled stones at them. In yet another incident at khambat of Gujarat, Islamists set ablaze eight Hindu shops and pelted stones on the devotees procession. At Lohardaga in Jharkhand, Islamists set ten bikes and one van belonging to Hindus on fire. In this violent attack that was perpetrated on April 10, 2022, one Hindu lost his life. Was this even taken cognisance of by Arundhati Roy and her proclaimed intellectuals gang working round the clock to push the wrong envelope? On April 10, 2022, in Howrah, West Bengal, Islamists attacked around twenty Hindus including three policemen who were in a procession. Two days prior to this, Islamists cut the power supply by design to attack and pelt stones on the Hindus. They set two cars and a bike on fire as well. In north-western state, Rajasthan’s

Business Policy

695

Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020 And Examining The Role Of NGOs.

“There are NGOs, often funded from USA & the Scandinavian Countries, which are not fully appreciative of the development challenges that our country faces. But we are a democracy. We are not like China. You know for example, what’s happening in Kundakulum [In Southern India, where local NGO-led protest have stalled commissioning of two 1000-Megawatt nuclear reactors]. The atomic energy programme has got into difficulty, because these NGOs, mostly I think based in United States, don’t appreciate the need for country to increase the energy supply.” [The Then PM, Shri Manmohan Singh in an interview in February 2012.] The Background To FCRA (Amendment) Act, 2020. The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) is a piece of legislation having a long and chequered history. It was first enacted in the year 1976, and the Statement & Object of Reasons of the original Act read as follows: “An Act to regulate the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality by certain persons or associations, with a view to ensuring that parliamentary institutions, political associations and academic and other voluntary organisations as well as individuals working in the important areas of national life may function in a manner consistent with the values of a sovereign democratic republic, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.” One of the original intents of the 1976 Act, brought in by the Indira Gandhi Government at the peak of emergency, was to stop political funding of its rivals, who were starved of funds within the country. The Act was enacted to insulate the sensitive areas of national life like- Journalism, judiciary and politics from extraneous influence from outside the country. Unwarranted Criticism Of The FCRA (Amendment) Act, 2020. Since 1976, much ink has been spilled on paper, and the original Act has undergone several Amendments, including the recent Amendments of 2020, FCRA (Amendment) Act, 2020. The aforesaid Amendment has met with criticism from several quarters on the premises that the foreign aid is not a new concept. Even the mighty US had been a beneficiary. Without appreciating the correct intention behind the Amendments, it was said that the Amendments are meant to crush dissent and concentrate powers in the hands of this Government. Surprisingly, even the United Nations criticised the new Amendments on the premise that access to resources, including foreign funding, is a fundamental part of the Right to Freedom of Association under International Law, standards, and principles, and more particularly part of forming an association. Therefore, any restriction on access to foreign funding must meet the stringent test for allowable restrictions for the right to association developed by the International Human Rights bodies. Given this narrow test, restricting access to foreign funding for associations based on notions such as “political nature”, “economic interest of the State” or “public interest” violates the right because these terms or definitions are overly broad, do not conform to a prescribed aim, and are not a proportionate response to the purported goal of the restriction. Such stipulations create an unacceptable risk that the law could be used to silence any association involved in advocating political, economic, social, environmental or cultural priorities which differ from those espoused by the government of the day. The Formal Response of The Government Of India On The New Amendments. There is absolutely no justification in the allegations or understanding that these Amendments in any way prevent or impede the inflow of foreign contributions in India. Shri Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Govt. of India has stated in the Parliament, that; “FCRA is a national and internal security law with the main objective of ensuring that foreign money does not dominate India’s public life, politics, and social discourse. Internal security, cultural security, national security and protection of Democracy are the utmost priority and specialty of this Government. This amendment is also necessary for Atma Nirbhar India. This government wants NGOs to make their sincere contribution to meet the specific needs of society. They should bring transparency in the expenditure of foreign contributions and ensure that it is spent on the right objectives and the work for which foreign contributions is received. There is a provision of foreign contributions for social education, cultural, religious, and economic activities. These Amendments has not been brought to threaten any political opponents. The only aim behind the Amendment is to ensure that the funds are not misused to throttle Indian democracy and suppress Indian people”. Justification And Necessity Of The New Amendments. It has to be appreciated that India is a vibrant and pluralistic democracy with a robust domestic grievance redressal mechanism, overseen by an independent judiciary and a Category ‘A’ National Human Rights Commission, compliant with the Paris Principles. Framing of Laws is power & prerogative of the sovereign, so long as the new law or amendments in existing law are made for achieving legitimate aims & objective and, inter alia, is in national interest and public order. It is a misconceived notion that the aforesaid Amendments are against NGOs. Had that been the case, a large majority of the NGOs and individuals in this sector would not have already complied with the new requirements of the FCRA (Amendment) Act, 2020. The Indian Parliament, representing the will of the people, has enacted the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act thereby laying down a clear legislative policy of regulating foreign contributions for certain activities in the country. As a matter of principle, there exits no Right to receive any foreign contribution outside the framework designed by the Parliament and implemented by the executive. The existing regime in place, which enables receiving of foreign contribution, envisages certain regulations and procedural preconditions and compliances for accepting foreign contributions. No part of any purported Right to receive foreign contributions can be said to be a part of the Fundamental Rights granted to citizens. There is no question of Fundamental Rights being violated through controls of acceptance of foreign contribution by certain type of organisations as the said organisations or individuals are

Policy World

595

Gone with the wind: The Curious Case of Foreign Minister Wang Yi

Amrit Pal Kaur / New Delhi Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi was on a diplomatic visit to South Asia from 21st March to 27th March 2022. His visit to the region is significant for many reasons, including but not limited to the Russia-Ukraine crisis. As the trip advanced, it became clearer that the State Counsellor was trying to drum up support for the Chinese position on the ongoing crisis and that China saw it as an opening to push forward its diplomatic agenda, which has been stalemated since the Galwan Valley days. That State Counsellor Wang Yi would talk in warm tones to his Pakistani audience was expected, but he would subscribe to the resolution of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation, which included remarks on India’s domestic policies and issues, right before coming to New Delhi, defies all reasons. His discussions with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar came to a nought, and his request for an audience with Prime Minister Modi was declined were some of the signs of how his impromptu escapade to New Delhi ended. His visit to New Delhi was being speculated, but the Chinese Foreign Ministry kept the details shrouded. However, the bigger question is why China felt the need to send the State Counsellor to India, given the relations between the two countries in recent history? Part of the answer lies in India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. India has asked both sides to keep the diplomatic channels open and resist the violent path to resolve the issue. India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Tirumurti has abstained from voting on the resolutions in UNSC on the Ukraine crisis, coming from either side, keeping its diplomatic options open while walking on a tight rope. It can be speculated that China sees India’s autonomous diplomacy as a favourable opening stance to its position, especially since the Chinese have been increasingly facing the music on account of their support to Russia. Gaining India’s support would have been significant. However, India’s position is far more nuanced than what is meeting the eye. To begin with, the Indo-Russia relationship is indeed based on strategic cooperation, which goes back many decades. Russia is India’s largest armament partner, covering over 60% of its ammunition inventory. It is an essential consideration for India, especially considering the less than cordial environment on Indian borders. Indo-Soviet bonhomie of the cold war days is also frequently cited to be the high-water mark of the relationship, but the lesser-known fact is that Indira Gandhi did not agree to sign the Peace and Friendship Treaty for nearly two years, and it came into being against the backdrop of Pakistani aggression and refugee crisis in 1970-71. In order to hedge and balance its interest in the fast-evolving geo-strategic conditions in South Asia, non-aligned India signed the Treaty with the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, the treaty is not the only reason, and critical geostrategic concerns and calculations inform the Indian stance. Historically, as a major Eurasian country, Russia has always had a bearing on Indian foreign policy since the colonial era. Central Asia and Afghanistan were seen as the buffer between the Russian Empire and British India. In order to protect its Indian territory, British Raj always tried to keep Russian expansion towards the south in check. The Anglo-Afghan Wars of the 19th century were essentially fought with this purpose. Also, the north-western region has been a sensitive zone because in its history, most attacks on India happened from the northwest, where the famous ‘passes’ in the Himalayan ranges would allow the attacking armies to come through. As a powerful territorial empire in the north, Russia has held strategic significance for India. Its influence on Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan has been an essential consideration in the Indian foreign policy calculations as these countries are critical strategic partners. In order to maintain peaceful relations in the neighbourhood and keep harmony in the larger Asian context, Russia has its niche in Indian geo-strategy. Another reason for the cautious Indian stance on Russia is, of course, the Dragon and its South Asian partner. Since the Crimea war of 2014, as the western pressure on President Putin increased, Russia has been walking into the Chinese orbit. For India, Russian decision making influenced by any third country is a possibility rife with pitfalls. Indo-Chinese relations have been sub-par for some time, and getting its strategic partner close to China is undesirable. What India would seek from Russia is support for its position in case if Galwan Valley like situation repeats. Assertive and revisionist China has been a cause of concern for the Asian region. The South China Sea disputes, East China Sea dispute, the Galwan Valley, and the Doklam dispute have piqued the world. Given these circumstances, countries like India have their concerns concerning geo-political issues. In this context, when President Biden calls Indian stance on Ukraine’ Shaky’ and the number of world leaders come to India in the guise of ‘bilateral relations, it cuts a rather curious picture as to why these dignitaries, including State Councillor Wang Yi, are making their way to New Delhi. First, about State Councillor Wang Yi’s visit, it can be derived that Indian reticence to criticize Russia outrightly on the Ukraine issue is seen as an essential toe-hold to persuade India to join China in supporting President Putin. Secondly, China is hosting this year’s BRICS summit and whether India decides to join or does not join will leave a significant impression on the leadership of President Xi especially keeping in mind the impending once in a decade leadership change in China which President Xi, in all probability, seeks to reverse. It will also send a message to the world about China’s rising power. Finally, in the context of the ripples created by the QUAD grouping in recent years, this BRICS summit will, in all prospects, seek to re-establish itself as a potent global force. For

Business Policy World

601

India’s Right to Pursue Lucrative Russian Oil Deals

NATO must revisit their unrealistic expectation for New Delhi to cut off ties with Moscow. Local currency oil deals should be the future K.A.Badarinath / New Delhi There’s raging debate over India’s crude purchase from Russia that has invaded Ukraine thereby pitching Moscow against combined might of European Union, UK, the US and other NATO allies. In last four weeks, lot has changed in terms of geo-political scenario especially in Eastern Europe and Baltic region thereby bringing oil trade into big focus. India that pursued a ‘balanced’, ‘independent’ policy puts her on equidistant terms vis-à-vis the sanctioned Russia and NATO allies in the Ukrainian conflict. India’s position has come under enhanced scrutiny of world community owing to this unwavering approach. While overwhelmingly, Indians internationally have hailed a ‘hands off’ policy towards the conflict, humanitarian intervention and ‘Operation Ganga’ have hogged global headlines. In the melee, oil purchases from Russia that may total to two per cent of Indian imports have been questioned by pro-western lobbies. Veteran parliamentarian Subramanian Swamy stopped short of calling India’s policy as nothing short of being ‘tragic’ and ‘unsustainable’. Hawks apart, India’s call to buy about 33 million barrels oil from Russia’s top-end exporter Roseneft is pragmatic and rooted in long term sustainability. On March 9, an internal note got circulated amongst top echelons of Modi government. And, as insiders divulge, March 11, Prime Minister Modi himself took a call to continue with the oil imports from Russia on Indian terms. Russian President Vladimir Putin who’s under increasing isolation seems to have more than accommodated India in the oil and other bilateral trade deals. Offering deep discounts, taking care of insurance costs, safe passage and delivery of crude at Indian ports were some terms that were tempting for India that was battling high oil import bill. Payment in rupee terms for oil or settlements against Russian Ruble at pre-designated rates provides a cushion for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman whose budget maths would have otherwise gone awry with Brent crude prices touching $114 per barrel on Monday. Also, setting off oil payments against Russian exports especially the rough diamonds is not a bad idea in content and spirit of free trade. Hence, Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Mangalore Refineries & Petroleum Ltd, and a host of oil importers jumped into the fray to conclude contracts that would translate to billions of dollars for India. It’s not just Russia, the entire middle-east line up has been tapped to conclude deals that could be showcased as to how geo-politics and oil trade were inseparable. With US and UK phasing out hydrocarbon imports from Russia and European Union seeking to fall suit, very handsome deals may still be possible in local currencies to get around the sanctions. For instance, Iran that was touted as the biggest oil supplier to India with unflinching ties, was the fall guy to Donald Trump’s sanctions owing to its nuclear programmes. Only two days back, taking cue from Russian deals, Iran had hinted at resuming rupee – rial designated oil supplies with bilateral trade potential at $30 billion this fiscal. From $17 billion in pre-sanctioned era of 2019, bilateral trade has plunged to a very modest $2 billion this fiscal. There’s no denial that both NATO and other western powers recognize India’s compulsions give its 85 percent crude requirements are met through imports. While the world is critiquing India’s sustained oil imports from Russia, India is all set to increase its share of oil import from the US by 11 percent. Moreover, both EU and the US have till now not considered India’s oil deals with Russia as violating war-related sanctions. But, western lobbyists and the rumour mill around this ecosystem has been working overtime to put India on defensive mode to justify its continued oil deals with Russia. India owes no explanation to anyone but herself. In fact, exploring local currency based oil and other trade deals would encourage multiplicity of such transactions lending variety to these transactions that are done away from referenced US dollar or the Euro. The four largest oil suppliers like US, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria should also explore more innovative deals for India that’s spoilt with varied options. Oil deals – both in spot and futures market—concluded by India cannot be subjected to sanctions that are being used as new neo-nuclear weapons by Western allies. India’s economic and political interests globally are diverse and each response from New Delhi is laced with nuances that cannot be set aside by the world community. It does not necessarily mean that India should not consider other energy options that limit hydrocarbons dependency. The earlier, it’s that much better. (Author is Director & Chief Executive of Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies based in New Delhi. Views expressed are author’s own.) E-mail – [email protected]

Fact Sheet Hindus Human Rights

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Brief: Seven Exoduses and the Ethnic Cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus

In the late 1980s and early 90s, the Kashmir Valley was engulfed by terrorism aided and funded in the name of ‘Islam’ by Pakistan as part of its neferious K2 (Kashmir and Khalistan) policy by initiating ‘Operation Tupac’, which aspired to foster successionist movements in India. As a result, several radical Islamist factions, Pakistan-based terrorist organisations and their local Kashmiri sympathisers joined hands to nurture an Islamist separatist movement in Kashmir that would be both religious and political depending on convenience and timing. The campaign was hinged on its brutal aggression against Kashmir’s minority Kashmiri Hindus, who were considered infidels and labelled as Indian agents by Pakistan backed Islamists, terrorists and their sympathisers in the valley of Kashmir. In the years following, Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and their local collaborators organised a terror campaign of targeted killings, rape, threats, inflicted systematic damage and destruction of Hindu homes and places of worship. Faced with imminent threat and persecution by torture, crimes against humanity and systematic elimination of the minority community in Kashmir. Kashmiri Hindus were forced to flee their native homeland in the seventh mass exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the valley of Kashmir.

Fact Sheet Human Rights Policy World

596

Indian Students Evacuated Amidst War Torn Ukraine

Operation Ganga, largest evacuation exercise since world war two demonstrates the country’s strength, compassion and reach globally Rohan Giri / New Delhi Millions of students and professionals from different countries were stuck in Ukraine during special military operation launched by Russia two weeks back that included massive air raids, rolling out columns of tanks and firing of missiles. Most of these individuals and families were anxious to head back home to escape the Russian operations. But then, the Russian attack left them stranded with airspace is shut, trains suspended and borders sealed. Especially, students that form large chunk of foreign nationals in Ukraine were left with very few options to escape from the military action unleashed by Russia headed by President Vladimir Putin. Prior to the attack, several European, the US and Western countries embassies as well as High Commissions had issued advisories to their respective citizens to leave the conflict ridden country. On its part, Indian Embassy in Ukraine did the same. As the military conflict situation evolved, Indians mostly students studying medicine in several Ukrainian universities found it a daunting task to escape from their cities. While most countries left their citizens to fend for themselves, Indian government along with a host of voluntary and semi-government organizations launched ‘Operation Ganga’, code-named for the biggest evacuation campaign since World War II. Apart from a small Indian Business community in Ukraine, more than 18000 Indian students study medicine and engineering in Ukrainian universities were to be pulled out of military conflict zones especially in Eastern region. Apart from issuing advisories from time to time, India asked its citizens whose stay was non-essential to move out to safe harbours. This was essentially viewed as a temporary measure as the conflict was expected to end in a couple of days. But, as the air raids intensified, bombing continued round the clock and tanks rolled into city after city, it became virtually impossible for Indians to stay back like other foreign nationals. This was the backdrop to launch ‘Operation Ganga’ with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading from the front. Following the first advisory on February 15, Indian mission not only in Ukraine, but several other countries in Baltic region came in for coordinated efforts to get out the Indians. Before the ‘Operation Ganga’ was launched, several measures were rolled out by Indian government as precursor to a difficult humanitarian operation that was conducted with dexterity and precision. Prime Minister Modi’s personal engagement with his counterparts in Russia and Ukraine worked wonders. A brief timeline of how events unfolded demonstrate the way things were planned to bring Indians back home with very little fuss. Here’s the Timeline: On February 16, Cap on passengers was removed under the Air bubble arrangement. On February 18, Air India flights were announced for evacuation on Feb 22, 24 and 26. On February 20, Air India was considering postponing flights due to no booking from Ukraine. The mission issued the second advisory strongly urging Indian Nationals to leave on the same day. On February 22, a third advisory was issued regarding additional flights. On February 24, the Airspace of Ukraine has been closed, and alternative arrangements are being made. On February 25, the Government of India and the Embassy of India are working to establish evacuation routes from Romania and Hungary. Advised to Print out the Indian flag and paste it prominently on vehicles and buses while travelling. On February 26, those staying in the Eastern area of Ukraine remain in their current places of residence until further instruction. On March 01, successfully facilitated the movement of more than 1400 students out of Zaporizhzhia, city in South-East Ukraine, westwards. On March 02, Urgent advisory to Indian students in Kharkiv for their safety and security must leave Kharkiv immediately. Operation Ganga As the crisis between Russia and Ukraine escalated, Ukraine closed its Airspace for civilian flights. More than 18,000 Indian expatriates, mostly students, were left stranded during the crisis. As students appealed for evacuation from the shelters, the Indian government launched a multi-pronged evacuation plan called ‘Operation Ganga’ to bring its citizens home. The Indian missions in Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary were made Arrangements under ‘Operation Ganga’ to bring back Indian citizens from Ukraine. Under ‘Operation Ganga’, Minister of Petroleum, Government of India, Hardeep Puri was sent to Hungary, Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was sent to Romania and Moldova to bring back Indian citizens; Law Minister Kiren Rijiju in Slovakia and Minister of State for Civil Aviation in Poland VK Singh were sent. Major Evacuation Operations by Indian government The Indian diaspora is the most skilled in the world. In difficult times, the Government of India has started many operations to bring back its people. When the Covid-19 outbreak attacked the world, India’s government launched the “Vande Bharat Mission” to return Indian people who got stucked in foreign lands. As of April 30, 2021, around 60 lakh Indians had been returned through multiple phases of the operation. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Operation Samudra Setu was a naval operation that was part of a national attempt to bring back Indian citizens who had been abroad. It was able to return 3,992 Indian citizens to their motherland by sea. The Indian Naval ships Jalashwa (Landing Platform Dock) and Airavat, Shardul, and Magar (Landing Ship Tanks) took part in the 55-day operation, which covered more than 23,000 kilometers by sea. In March 2016, Terrorist attacks occurred at Brussels Airport in Zaventem and Maalbeek Metro station in central Brussels. A Jet Airways flight brought back 242 Indians, including 28 crew members. The Yemeni government and Houthi rebels were engaged in a conflict in 2015. Thousands of Indians were trapped, and Yemen was cut off from the rest of the world by Saudi Arabia’s declaration of a no-fly zone. India rescued almost 5,600 people from Yemen as part of Operation Raahat. In the wake of the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the Indian government and the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Maitri, a cooperative relief

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