GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Bilateral Relations
Direction: We had already covered India-Qatar ties, here we have presented the basic facts in tabular format and added new points
Context: The year 2023 marks 50 years (ties established in 1973) of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between India and Qatar as well as India-South Korea
Mnemonics: You may remember areas of Cooperation using the keyword: PEDCAP – Political, Economic, Defence, Cultural, Arts and People
| Area of Cooperation | India-Qatar Status | Examples |
| Political Relations | Strong and friendly | · Regular high-level visits, Joint Commission Meetings |
| Economic & Commercial | Strong trade ties | · Qatar’s key exports to India include LNG, LPG, chemicals and petrochemicals, fertilisers, plastics, and aluminium articles,
· India’s key exports to Qatar include cereals, copper articles, iron and steel articles, vegetables, fruits · In 2021, India was among the top four largest export destinations for Qatar and is also among the top three sources of Qatar’s imports · India-Qatar Start-up bridge is a joint initiative to link the start-up ecosystems of two countries |
| Energy | Major energy partner | · Qatar is one of the largest suppliers of LNG to India, Investment by Qatar in the Indian energy sector |
| Defence & Security | Defence cooperation | · Joint military exercises: Za’ir-Al-Bahr (Roar of Sea) is a naval exercise between the Indian and Qatar Navy
· Defence equipment procurement · Maritime relations: Interaction between Indian Ports and Qatari Ports |
| Cultural Exchanges | Vibrant cultural exchanges | · Cultural festivals showcasing Indian and Qatari arts and heritage, Exchange programs for artists and intellectuals |
| People-to-People Ties | The significant Indian ex-pat community in Qatar | · Large Indian community in Qatar (over 8 lakh), and close ties between the two countries through expatriates
· Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) sent Covid medical relief material to India · 14 Indian schools in Qatar are offering CBSE curricula |
India-South Korea Ties: Bilateral consular relations were established in 1962 & upgraded to diplomatic ties (Ambassador-level) in 1973.
- On this occasion, a walking pilgrimage (by a group of 108 Buddhist monks from South Korea) will begin from Sarnath in Varanasi and culminate at Shravasti after traversing through Nepal to mark 50 years of India-South Korea diplomatic ties and trace the path Lord Budhha followed.
| Area of Cooperation | India-South Korea Status | Examples |
| Political Relations | Strong and friendly | · Regular high-level visits: E.g. 2+2 dialogue
· Joint Commission Meetings: by coordinating India’s ‘Act East Policy’ with South Korea’s ‘New Southern Policy · Strategic Partnership (Strategic Partnership in 2010 which was upgraded to ‘special strategic partnership’ in 2015 and defence cooperation) |
| Economic & Commercial | Growing trade ties | · 2022 bilateral trade: over USD 27 bn (Target is to reach USD 50 bn by 2030)
· India-South Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) (2010) · ‘Korea Plus’ initiative to promote and facilitate Korean Investments in India such as joint ventures in electronics, automobiles and shipbuilding |
| Energy | Growing energy cooperation | · Civil Nuclear energy Cooperation (2011) |
| Defence & Security | Defence cooperation | · Joint military exercises, Defence equipment procurement |
| Cultural Exchanges | Vibrant cultural exchanges | · Buddhist Connection
· “SamgukYusa” text (13th CE) says that a Princess from Ayodhya married a Korean Prince and became Queen Hur(Heo) Hwang-ok in 48 AD · Cultural festivals showcasing Indian and Korean arts and heritage |
| People-to-People Ties | Growing | · The significant Korean ex-pat community in India, Growing Indian community in South Korea |
Insta Links
Mains Links:
India’s old ties are being reinvigorated in West Asia in recent times. Comment. What is its impact on India? (10M)
