The Quad and The Security Scenario in The Indo-Pacific Region

The Quad Security Scenario in Indo-Pacific [Credit-The Diplomatist]

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered a detailed speech on the Quad and the security scenario in the Indo-Pacific Region on 23 February 2024 during the Raisena Dialogue conference in New Delhi.

The Minister stated the Quad is a statement and that others cannot have a "veto" on the choices of like-minded, friendly nations. The coalition is here to stay, grow, and contribute to global prosperity. He gave the statement amid mounting global concerns over China's rising assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.

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The Quad Overhead Light, Multipolar Order, and Multipronged Enterprise:

The External Affairs Minister said the Quad indicates the growth of a multipolar global order, while its central approach is collaborative and not unilateral. It has been focusing on bolstering cooperation to ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific in the face of Chinese aggression.

In an address at a think-tank, he described the coalition of India, The US, Japan, and Australia as an 'overhead light. It is a creative, flexible, nimble, responsive, and open-mind enterprise.

Minister S Jaishankar said,

" All four governments have behaved differently....normally do. The Quad is an overhead light.... creative, flexible, nimble, responsive, and open-minded enterprise. There are no adjectives...... associated with the bureaucracy."

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Five Messages of the Quad and the Security in Indo-Pacific Region:

The Minister also said that the Quad has five important messages. First, the Quad indicates the growth of a multipolar world order. Two, it is a post-alliance and post-Cold War thinking. Third, it is against any spheres of influence. Fourth, it expresses the democratization of the global space and a collaborative, not unilateral, approach. Finally, fifth, it is a statement that in this day and age, others cannot have a veto on our choices.

Quad as an Overhead Light, Multipolar Order, and Multipronged Enterprise [Credit-Gonewsindia]

S Jaishankar elaborated that the Quad is facilitated by the emergence of the Indo-Pacific to propel a change in the global order that requires more and not less collaboration.

The Minister answered that the Quad is here to stay, the Quad is here to grow, and the Quad is here to contribute. He called to make it more contemporary, relevant, and impactful.

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Other Members in Quad Japan, Australia, and the US:

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who joined through virtual mode, said Quad stands for a region, that is, free from intimidation and coercion. Where competition is managed responsibly, and disputes are settled per international laws.

The Foreign Minister of Japan, Yoko Kamikawa, in a brief video message, said the world has been facing deep divisions. So, it is necessary to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Quad and the Security in Indo-Pacific Region [Credit-MyInd.net]

Yoko Kamikawa asserted that Japan, with its allies and like-minded countries, is working to further develop a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the Quad is one of the most important initiatives to this end. It has steadily implemented initiatives in maritime critical and emerging technologies, cyber, and counter-terrorism to move forward.

The Deputy Secretary of State US, Kurt Campbell, said the Indo-Pacific remains the world's most dynamic and rapidly evolving region. So, the strength of the Quad is its ability to harness the capabilities and resources of the four nations together to deliver concrete outcomes that benefit all.

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S Jaishankar said the Quad is not about forcing the region to choose between strategic competitors is about preserving and creating options so that communities, institutions, and countries can make decisions to benefit their people.

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The India-US 2+2 Strategic Dialogue and Deepening Relationship

The India-US 2+2 Strategic Dialogue held in New Delhi has 'great significance' regarding the 'volatile' global scenario. The meeting emphasized playing a critical role in upholding international law and providing humanitarian assistance by the world's biggest and grande democracies. 

The India-US 2+2 Summit [Credit-City Times]

India's Defence Secretary touched on the utmost importance points of the India-US partnership. He said peace and stability in the immediate neighborhood and the connected regions are on the priority list.        

The India-US 2+2 Strategic Dialogue Signs Depth in Relationship:

The India-US defense cooperation has become a 'Rock Solid Support.' It shows the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries. The meeting is attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with their US counterparts. 

The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin addressed the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue at the Hyderabad House in the national capital.

The India-US 2+2 Strategic Dialogue Strengthen Defence Partnership:

The US Secretary of Defence Austin said the defense partnership between both countries has made tremendous forward strides in the past years including the US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap. 

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said during a media briefing that the meeting underscored the 'potential collaboration' in emerging domains for civilian commercial use as well as for strategic use.

Mr. Rajnath Singh with Mr. Austin [Credit-TOI]

Mr. Singh said,

 "In essence, the defense cooperation has become a rock-solid support for the bilateral relations between the two countries. The potential collaboration in emerging domains for the civilian commercial... How the defense industries can intersect each other's interests and promote each other in this particular context of strong bilateral ties was also a matter of great focus." 

India's Defense Secretary recalled PM Modi's US visit this June. He said the visit initiated new steps between the two countries and called the 2+2 dialogue a 'Continuation of Important Steps.' He added that we shared our common and convergent interests with mutual goals.

The US Role in India's Successful G20 Summit:

EAM Jaishankar said that PM Narendra Modi's state visit to the US had opened a new chapter in the India-US relationship. He also mentioned that President Biden's visit to Delhi in September contributed immensely to the positive trajectory of our ties.

President Biden with PM Modi During G20 Summit [Credit-India Today]

Mr. Jaishankar highlighted that the President's support was key to ensuring productive outcomes at the G20 summit. Today's agenda during the dialogue will be an opportunity to advance the vision of our respective leaders. We will focus on building a forward-looking partnership by constructing a shared global agenda. 

Official sources said that an investors meeting between the US and India held on Thursday had a 'very deep dialogue.' The investors and innovators have heart-to-heart talks under the direction of the US-DIU and the DiO of The Ministry of Defence India.

The meeting enabled them to become part of the global supply chain, contributing to the defense industry roadmap with a common vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rule-based global order throughout the seas.

The India-US 2+2 strategic dialogue at the Ministerial-Level is a diplomatic summit held every year since its inception in 2018. The Ministers of External Affairs and Defense from the Indian side and Secretaries of State and Defense from the US side participated.

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Taliban Minister's Radical View Than Traditionally For Women Education

In a rare disagreement with the present Taliban regime in Afghanistan about women's education, Taliban-appointed deputy foreign minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai criticized their government. He said the lack of access to education for women is the main reason for Afghanistan's people distancing themselves.

Taliban Minister's Radical View Than Traditionally For Women Education [Credit-The Guardian]

Stanekzai further added that this is the main reason why the neighboring countries and foreign nations have also distanced themselves from the issues Afghans are facing.

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A Rare Disagreement Among Taliban Ministers About Women's Education:

This is the rare occasion when a Taliban minister spoke so openly in favor of women's education. According to ToloNews, Mr. Stanikzai said,

"This is everyone's right. This is the natural right which Allah........., how can someone take this right from them? If anyone violates this right, this is an oppression against........this country."

The Taliban-led government has banned women from pursuing higher education in Afghanistan after taking over the power. The Taliban government has limited schools to girls until sixth grade.

Women's Education Under Taliban Rule [Credit-The Guardian]

Afghanistan is reeling under a severe economic crisis because of the sanctions imposed on the nation due to Taliban leaders not following the obligations they were urged to after taking control over Kabul.

Different Opinions of Taliban Ministers on Education Standards:

As per the TOLONews report, speaking at a graduation ceremony, Stanekzai stressed the importance of reopening schools for girls beyond sixth grade. He said a society without knowledge is dark.

He emphasized that the Government should try to open the doors of educational institutions for everyone. Today, our only problem with our neighbors and the world is caused by the issue of education.

The ceremony during which these comments were made was held by the Taliban's borders and tribal affairs ministry. The ceremony was to mark the graduation of students who have studied in educational entities under the ministry.

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Taliban Border and Tribal Minister Noorullah Noori said youth living in far areas who did not have access to education, were enrolled in schools. He stressed that there is no distance between religion and modern education.

Taliban Government Appointed-Ministers [Credit-Kashmir Reader]

He stated that the issue of distance is not true. There is no distance and education is being taught under Islamic Emirate's rule. He said I can tell you that there has been no such system before.

Another Taliban minister also urged the government and religious scholars to pay serious attention to raising the quality of education. Taliban-appointed education minister, Habibullah Agha, recently criticised their government for the poor quality of education in the country's religious schools.

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The Continuity of India's National Security Strategy-2023 in @ The year 2025

The year 2023 proved to be a good year from the perspective of India's national security strategy. India has proved and gained economic, geopolitical, foreign policy, and even aspirational esteem from all angles.

The Continuity of India's National Security Strategy-2023 in @ year 2024 [Credit- Medium]

The government of India did its job resiliently and wisely to avoid any unnecessary involvement in geopolitical wrangling and conflict avoidance and yet secure its borders and balanced relationship, which could create a crisis.

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The Continuity at The Economic Front:

The leading bandwagon of positive developments was the economic front. Indian economy continues to be the fastest-growing in the world despite a short two-year period of the pandemic-ridden downturn.

With a 7.3% growth rate and $3.73 trillion GDP [$13.119 trillion-PPP 2023], India remained the world's fifth largest economy. The approach and behavior of the Indian government have ensured steady and stable growth without obstacles.

The Continuity at The Economic Front [Credit-The Times of India]

According to some analysts, it is the model that China's Deng Xiao Ping followed from 1978 onwards. Visionary Deng had toned down the rhetoric, established stable borders, and a distinct lack of aggressiveness. 

He moved with advancement in capability through technical education and modernization of agriculture and technologies. China followed that model for several years before adopting its aggressive posture of today's.

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Repositioning of India's Security Strategy-2023:

According to experts, the year 2023 witnessed the repositioning of India after the pandemic. It has been shedding some of the reticence and loss of faith that may have entered the system due to setbacks in the economic and manufacturing sectors. 

Repositioning of India's Security Strategy-2023 [Credit-Vajirao IAS]

There was sufficient confidence in the ISRO scientists for the nation to launch its own Chandrayaan-3. Chandrayaan-3 is a moon exploration mission placed by India. India is now among the elite club nations with a successful space exploration program, which gave a boost to the scientific community.

Experts say that confidence will continue to hold good as we look at the technological transformation in AI, Cyber, Quantum, and Other Technologies. After the economic front, India domain in G20 also.

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Leading From the Front at The G20 Summit:

 

In the G20 summit, India scored maximum brownie points in creating a niche position. India showed the ability and potential to steer a draft resolution without any negative references to the war in Ukraine was an achievement in deft diplomacy.

India's established ability to position itself as the voice of the Global South was another milestone. India made strong interventions in strengthening the Global South, including the African Union. African Union became a permanent member of the G20 group.

Leading From the Front at the G20 Summit [Credit-Linkedin]

India also introduced the 13th vertical in the agenda, which includes disaster risk reduction. India gave a firm direction to concern for disasters, particularly risk-facing infrastructure and early warning.

The motto of G20, "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", is important to mention the range of activities from a civilizational angle. It showed how to internationalize a core idea of Indian Humanism. 

It focuses on a human-centric global system, the idea of sustainable development, research on climate-resilient grains, the Global Initiative for Global Health, our sources in developing Digital Public Infrastructure [DPI], and One Future Alliance to implement DPI.

While the year 2023 had the vehicle of G20 to position India as a leader, we have to seek similar avenues in 2024 for continuity.

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Jews and Hindus Share the Dichotomy of Religious Intolerance !

The world occasionally sees that Jews and Hindus share the dichotomy of religious intolerance. In 1938, the countries of the world got together to decide a meeting about the Jews on the shores of Lake Evian in France. Everyone refused to take the Jews. America made a couple of concessions but did little. Canada said clearly no. 

Religious Emblems [Credit-Alamy]

All the countries of Europe and South America said no. Australia said they were a white country and did not want to import a racial problem. The Communist USSR neither participated in the meeting nor refused to take in any Jews either. The Jews were on their own, left to die at the hands of Adolf Hitler.

Irony of the Jewish & Hindu Community:

Christianity is the biggest religion in the world, with nearly 2.4 billion followers. Next comes Islam, with roughly 2 billion. Another 1.5 billion people live in Communist states. Mind you the number of Jews has never been more than 15 million.

These three forces do not agree with each other a whole lot except that each one of them has spent several centuries persecuting and trying to wipe out the Jews. But there are 1.2 billion Hindus who are exceptions. 

How the struggles of the Hindus could be similar to those of the Jews:

Anti-Relation of Christianity and Judaism:

When talking about anti-Semitism, the first name that comes to mind is Adolf Hitler. Nazis get the idea of packing the Jews into ghettos and wearing yellow stars? The Popes had ordered the Jews to be kept in a ghetto and wear yellow hats for over 300 years.

Judaism & Christianity Religious Symbols [Credit-Vecteezy]

The 1930s and 1940s saw a wave of anti-Semitism across Europe. After the Catholic Party voted for Hitler to become dictator of Germany in 1933, the Vatican quickly signed an accord with the Nazi regime. 

A network of fascist states came up on the continent, with close ties to the Catholic Church and the Nazi regime: Petain in France, Franco in Spain, Salazar in Portugal, and Tiso in Slovakia. Some of them even survived the Second World War and lasted well into the 1960s and 1970s, such as in Spain and Portugal.

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Forced Evacuation History of Islam and Judaism:

Everyone could have seen the animated map of Israel since 1948. It seems to show Israel grabbing more and more land, leaving nothing for the Palestinians. That animated map is simply everywhere because of the propaganda.

Judaism and Islam Religious Symbols [Credit-Vector Stock]

It does not tell you that the Arab countries forced their Jewish populations to escape to Israel. Once upon a time, Egypt had 80,000 Jews. At last count in 2022, there were just 3 Jews left in the country. Libya used to have 20,000 Jews, today they have none and the story continues.

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Conflicts Between Communism and Judaism:

Theoretically, the Marxists reject all religions but it is deeply rooted against Jews. Marx himself believed in the stereotype of the Jew as greedy and self-interested. “Money is the jealous God of Israel,” he wrote in a viciously anti-Semitic essay that he called “On the Jewish question.”

Judaism and Communism Symbols [Credit-Symbols.Com]

The relationship between Communism and Jews has always been full of ironies. In the Christian world, they often worried that Communism was a “Jewish plot” as Max was a Jew. The Communists also worried that there was a global Jewish plot against them and called it “Jewish cosmopolitanism.” In the 1950s, the Communists held show trials in Czechoslovakia against “cosmopolitans” and executed all of them. 

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Hinduism and Judaism Dichotomy of Religious Intolerance:

The similarities between Hinduphobia and anti-Semitism do not end here. The trio-world does not like to talk about what happened (and is happening) to Hindus in say Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh. 

Judaism and Hinduism [Credit-Adobe Stock]

The tune is the same like they do not talk about the Jews who have been forced out of everywhere else in the Middle East. Generations of persecution led many prominent Jewish intellectuals to reject their identity and agree with the stereotypes forced on them.

The terms “cosmopolitanist” and “globalist” are often used as dog whistles for anti-Semitism even today. The popular cultural perception is that Hindus are regressive and superstitious. This propaganda has been very effective in making Hindus reject their own identity rather than see it as an attack on them.

Organizers and practitioners of such activities must be publicly shamed as in the Harvard University case. Students who participated lost job offers and scholarships. Such collective action stops injustices from going unnoticed.

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Saudi Prince Turki Al Faisal Showed A Path For Palestine-Resolution

 

Saudi Arabia Prince Turki Al Faisal suggested a path for Palestine resolution and slammed both Hamas and Israel, saying that there are "no heroes in this conflict, only victims." Faisal was the country's former intelligence chief for 22 years and Ambassador to the US and the UK. 

Saudi Prince Turki Al Faisal [Credit-Arab News]

Turki Al Faisal's tone at America's Rice University in Houston took a move forward and cited the example of India's Independence movement. The speech was shared widely on social media.

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Turki Al Faisal showed a path for Palestine resolutions and said that all occupied and oppressed people have a right to resist their occupation, even militarily. The Prince led the Saudi intelligence agency Al Mukhabarat Al 'Ammah for over two decades.

Turki Al Faisal [Credit-Arab News]

The Prince insisted "I do not support the military option in Palestine. I prefer the other option: civil insurrection and disobedience. It brought down the British empire in India and the Soviet empire in eastern Europe." 

The Prince's speech, unusually frank for a senior member of the Saudi royal family, was widely acknowledged as the clearest indicator yet of the Saudi Arabia leadership's thinking on the situation.

Turk Al Faisal Slammed Both Hamas & Israel:

He slammed both parties for incarnating inhuman behavior. The Prince said Hamas' acts went against Islamic injunctions not to harm civilians. He also accused Israel of "indiscriminate bombing on innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza" and the "indiscriminate arrest of Palestinian children, women and men in the West Bank".

Turki Al Faisal Condemned Western Politicians' Stand Over The Issue:

He took a stern stand issue with the US media's use of the phrase "unprovoked attack" and said, "What more provocation is required.. than what Israel has done to the Palestinian people for three-quarters of a century?"

H.H. Turki Al Faisal Delivering Speech [Credit-The Times of Israel]

He condemned Western politicians for "shedding tears when Israelis are killed by Palestinians", but refusing to "even express sorrow when Israelis kill Palestinians".

Stand of India About the Israel-Palestine Conflict:

However, India strongly condemned the terrorist and inhuman acts of Hamas but always supported dialogue diplomacy to resolve any dispute at the international level. India has favored a two-state solution at the UN many times since 1948. India enjoys a good relationship with both countries. 

Although, India has had diplomatic relations with Palestine since independence it officially engaged with Israel after 1990. Today India is one of the strategic partners of Israel. Israelis always support India during all wars against Pakistan with arms and ammunition.  

This balanced approach emphasizes the suffering of all parties involved and calls for global attention towards a lasting solution. In a conflict marked by deep divisions, Prince Turki's comments are a testament to balance and dignified diplomacy and showed a better path to resolve the longstanding issue.

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Khalistan Separatist Movement, History, and Major Incidents

The Khalistan Separatist Movement:

The khalistan separatist movement routinely grasps people's attention worldwide, especially in the South-Asian region. It is a Sikh separatist movement active in foreign lands, like Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia backed by Pakistan Interservices Intelligence Agency [ISI]. 

Khalistan Movement [Credit-Usanas]

Khalistan is a term of two words Khalis + Stan, which stands for 'pure +land' or 'free+ land.' It is also called 'the land of the Khalsa.'

Khalistanis want a separate homeland based on ethno-religious identity. They wanted to create an independent nation-state to be carved out from Indian Punjab. The proposed boundaries of Khalistan vary between different groups and also include region of Pakistan.

The Khalistan Separatist Movement and Its History:

The Khalistan movement has a history back to pre-independence India. The British Imperial Government wanted to divide the Hindu and Sikh communities based on religious practices like Hindu and Muslim, and the government was successful there. 

Khalistan Map [Credit-The Express]

However, the Khalistan movement emerged in the 1940s but gained momentum in the 1970s. One major reason is the Sikh community was the most active and martyred community during the Indian Indepenadnce movement. However, it was also the worst affected community during the partition of India.

The Emergence of the Khalistan Separatist Movement:

The khalistan movement emerged again and gained momentum in the decade of 1970 after adopting the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. The resolution was adopted by the Shiromani Akali Dal [SAD], a political party that represents the Sikh community. 

Khalistan Separatists [Credit-The Washington Post]

The resolution demanded the creation of a federal structure in India just like more autonomy for Punjab. The extremist faction under the Babbar Khalsa and the Khalistan Liberation Force [KLF] wanted to achieve their goal by resorting to violence and terrorism.  

The Major incidents that fueled the Khalistani Separatist movement:

The Khalistan Liberation Force wanted to create a Khalistan state with violent means. They started attacking the big-profile figures of the Hindu and different sects of the Sikh community, like Lala Jagat Narayana and Nirankaris. The Governments of Punjab and India imploded to start taking tough actions.

Major Incidents of Khalistan Movements [Credit-Study IQ]

1). The Anadpur Sahib Resolution [1973] demanded the radical devolution of power and further autonomy to Punjab.

2). Akali Dal and Jarnail Singh Bhinranwale joined hands in 1982 to implement the resolution "the Dharam Yudh Morcha."

3). The killing of six Hindu bus passengers incident in October 1983 after which emergency rule was imposed. 

4). The year 1984 from 1 January to 1 June saw 775 cases of violence that resulted in 298 killings.

5). Operation Blue Star [June 1984] when the Indian Army cracked down heavily on militarised [Kharku] khalistani supporters to vacate the Golden Temple.

6). The assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi [October 1984] in her house by personal security [Sikh] guards.

7). The riots all over India, especially in Delhi, after the Prime Minister's assassination.

However, the Khalistani movement has lost its credibility in India and abroad as well. But some secessionist groups with the help of an anti-India agenda try to fuel it, like Referendum by Sikh for Justice.  

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