05 Dec 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

E. Editorials

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. A dark shadow on New Delhi’s credibility

Syllabus: GS-2, Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.

Prelims-  International Court of Justice,  Five Eyes

Mains- Impact of alleged covert operations on India’s image in global politics

Introduction

• The U.S. recently indicted an Indian national for allegedly targeting Khalistani separatists in North America on behalf of an Indian official, though the official’s exact involvement is unclear.
• Experts have highlighted that in public diplomacy, the key rule is to never get caught in a lie or denying a truth.
• This might lead to a credibility crisis in Indian diplomacy.

Credibility Crisis

• While unproven, the allegations damage New Delhi’s credibility in both covert operations and public messaging.
• India must address the credibility crisis initiated by the indictment over its perceived role in unlawful covert action. 
• It could also raise other doubts regarding the potential history of deceptive public messaging from India.

Operations in Limelight

• In recent years, intelligence operations by India have been legally challenged in other countries. Some of the examples are: 
  • The forcible return of a UAE princess in 2018
  • The attempted kidnapping of a businessman in Antigua in 2021
  • The conviction of Indian naval officers for espionage in Qatar.
• India has also challenged the extrajudicial trial of Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan since 2016 at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 
• Lists circulating of alleged Indian operations against wanted individuals in Pakistan, Nepal, Europe, and Thailand have been praised as proof of India’s global reach, though the government has not accepted ordering them.

Impact on US Relations

• In the context of empowering security agencies, India must address the alleged conspiracy to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US, which was linked to a murder in Canada. 
• The US indictment alleges one conspiracy directed by an Indian intelligence official using an undercover US officer as a hitman, and another conspiracy by US agencies to entrap the Indian.
• Despite high-level 2022 meetings, the US did not fully share information with India, failing to prevent embarrassment when the indictment was published, questioning claims of cooperation between India and the US. 
• The U.S. does not trust the information India provided about Mr. Pannun, Nijjar, and the Khalistani separatist movement. 
• It is more focused on the alleged plot against them than curbing the separatists’ activities.
• India is deeply concerned about Mr. Pannun’s radical rhetoric and threats and hence the U.S. actions feel like a breach of trust to India.
• The U.S. actions remind India of the limited intelligence sharing in 2008 before the Mumbai terror attacks. In this case, the US did not reveal the source of the information was Lashkar­-e­-Taiba operative David Coleman Headley.
• He could not be brought to full justice in India. 
• This shows that there is a trust deficit even as India-U.S. ties grow.

Impact on Regional Relations

• India should also consider how its expulsion of Canadian diplomats affects relations with Five Eyes allies. 
• India reacted strongly to Khalistani issues abroad while accepting U.S. allegations more calmly and setting up a high level inquiry to investigate them.
• This shows that double standards exist despite strengthening of the India-U.S. partnership.
• India must address how the case impacts neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Maldives, who stood with India on the Canadian issue but now question India’s activities within their borders
• South Asian countries will study the footprint of Indian agencies in their countries as details of the U.S. indictment emerge
• India must reassure regional neighbours to maintain relationships, especially with strategic countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Sri Lanka where concerns already exist about India’s political influence

Conclusion

• India’s actions now will have an impact on its global image – either as a “hard power” willing to pursue threats illegally abroad at any cost, or one that builds international support through diplomacy to achieve ends lawfully, albeit slowly
• India’s government has categorically stated covert, extrajudicial assassinations are not its policy and the allegations will be investigated
• A deeper investigation is needed to reveal whether India’s actions actually align with its stated values and interests

Nut Graf: The recent indictment by the U.S. for allegedly targeting Khalistani separatists in North America casts a shadow over India’s credibility in both covert operations and public messaging. This incident highlights the challenges India faces in balancing its security concerns with its diplomatic relations, particularly with its Five Eyes allies and regional neighbours.

F. Prelims Facts

Nothing here for today!!!

Q1.  Consider the following statements, with reference to the National Food Security 
Act (NFSA) 2013:

Q2.Essequibo is the western region of which country, that is claimed by Venezuela as 
part of a longstanding border dispute?

Q3. Consider the following countries:

Q4. The Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) report is published by 
which organization? 

Q5. Consider the following statements, with reference to corporate bonds:

How many of the statements given above are correct?