Political Science

the need for a social transformation by the that focused on the demand for economic
incorporating social welfare provisions. On development of the region. Later, the
the economic front, the path to development Jharkhand agitation followed the same logic.
was laid out with a predominant role of the
government in the industrial sector within a The democratic system of governance of
policy of mixed economy. The Planning India was suspended for a brief period of
Commission was set up to prepare five-year time in 1970s when Emergency was declared.
plans which would indicate directions in The influx of refugees from East Pakistan
which the Indian economy should move. The had begun in the late sixties, it escalated in
basic focus of Indian planning was on the 1970s eventually leading to a conflict
economic growth, generation of employment and the creation of a new state of Bangladesh.
opportunities and removal of poverty. Today, The other crisis that grew into a major
the NITI Aayog has replaced the Planning confrontation was the demand for Khalistan
Commission. in the state of Punjab. This agitation forced
the Indian government to use force against
New challenges emerged in the 1960s. the separatist movement. The assassination of
The Nehru era of Indian politics ended with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was the first
Lal Bahadur Shastri taking over the such political assassination, a direct result of
Premiership, to be followed by Mrs. Indira the use of force to tackle the Punjab agitation.
Gandhi. This decade saw the growth of A second such assassination was of Rajiv
regional parties on the political scene. The Gandhi who lost his life to a suicide attack
1960s also saw the beginning of a protest by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
movement by the peasant class labelled as (LTTE) for having taken decisions on the
Naxalism. This movement grew in the sixties Tamil question in Sri Lanka. The religious
but was curbed by the State in the early conflict in India escalated in the 1980s. The
seventies. However, it came back in a more events at Ayodhya (Ram Janmabhoomi/
violent form in the 1980s. It was described Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute) and its
as one of the biggest challenges faced by repercussions in 1992 in the form of Mumbai
India. riots brought in new dimensions to militancy
in India.
The North Eastern Region which
comprises of eight States is culturally and The late 1980s and the 1990s once again
ethnically diverse having more than 200 brought the problem of Jammu and Kashmir
ethnic groups which have distinct languages, in the forefront. The agitation saw a change
dialects and sociocultural identities. The in the nature of militancy that shifted from
maintenance of peace and stability and a state centric terrorist activity to a modern
ensuring the implementation of economic and abstract terrorist struggle. Militancy started in
industrial development has been a challenge the Kashmir Valley with the movement for
for the Indian political system. States like ‘Azadi’. India went into an economic
Nagaland have seen a state of conflict since transformation in the 1990s. It slowly
Indian independence, while Manipur, abandoned the socialist pattern of economic
Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura have development and opted for economic
witnessed militancy since the sixties. In liberalisation. This was a new approach to
Assam the problem was about the lack of tackle the problem of economic development
development of the region with its resources in India, an approach that led to economic
being diverted elsewhere. The Assam oil recovery and a relatively high and stable
blockade (1980) was one of the first agitation economic growth.

40

Find out and discuss. In 1965 Amanullah Khan created the
Find out the details of the following Plebiscite Front in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
The organisation had an unofficial armed
events and discus them in the classroom: wing called National Liberation Front, which
(i) Assam Oil Blockade (1980) carried out sabotage activities in Jammu and
(ii) Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi (1991) Kashmir. In 1977 the Plebiscite Front was
given a new name, Jammu Kashmir Liberation
Over the last decade and more there Front (JKLF). In 1989 a National Conference
have been several issues that have posed a worker was shot dead and Jammu Kashmir
challenge to peace and stability in India. Liberation Front (JKLF) kidnaped Rubia
These issues have been in the areas of Sayeed, daughter of the then Home Minister.
economic development, social and cultural The main demand of the JKLF was to create
problems, etc. Challenges are also faced due an independent state of Kashmir.
to caste and religious unrest, extreme form
of regionalism, economic disparities, etc. Pakistan decided to use the Mujahideen
to back the pro-Pakistan guerrilla groups
This chapter looks at some of the issues such as the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Kashmir.
that have continued to be a matter of concern The entry of the pan-Islamist fighters into the
for the peace and stability and therefore affect Valley from Pakistan changed the colour of
the process of socio-economic development in the insurgency. The growth of Islamic
India. These issues have also posed a militancy in Kashmir in the 1990s, resulted
challenge to the process of nation building in the migration of the Pandit population
and national integration of the country. from Kashmir.
These issues include the following: (i) Cross
Border Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir The Indian government has maintained
(ii) Left Wing Extremism in certain areas that terrorism emanating from across Indian
(iii) Terrorism. borders remains the core concern in India’s
relationship with Pakistan. The government
Cross Border Terrorism in Jammu argues that infiltration from across the border
and Kashmir is mainly in Jammu and Kashmir which is
affected by terrorist violence, sponsored and
The Indian Independence Act, 1947 supported from across-the border.The Ministry
provided that the rulers of the princely states of Home, Government of India in its Annual
had to take the final decision whether they Report of 2016-17 states : The State of
wished to join India or Pakistan. The problem Jammu and Kashmir has been affected by
in Jammu and Kashmir began with Pakistan terrorist and secessionist violence, sponsored
sending tribal raiders with the support of the and supported from across the border, for
army to force Maharaja Hari Singh of more than two and a half decades. It also
Jammu and Kashmir to join Pakistan. Hari says that Pakistan has tried to radicalise the
Singh signed the Instrument of Accession people through vested social groups and the
making the State a part of the Indian union use of social media. Jammu and Kashmir has
after which India sent troops to protect seen a continuous period of instability fostered
Kashmir. This resulted in the first India- by cross border intervention in form of
Pakistan war of 1947-48. Again in 1965 militancy or political support to separatist
Pakistan sent in infiltrators with a hope that groups like the Hurriyat. The disturbing
they would lead the people of Jammu and feature of the conflict is the use of children
Kashmir to rise against India. However, when for stone throwing and burning of schools by
Pakistan actually attacked in 1965, the local the militants.
population did not support Pakistan.

41

Burning of Schools : Kashmir Information given by the
Stone Throwing in Kashmir Government in the Lok Sabha :
Several terrorist attacks in India,
including in Jammu and Kashmir are
perpetrated by infiltrators from Pakistan
or Pakistan Occupied Kashmir,
benefitting from the terrorist
infrastructure existing there….

Listing of several Pakistan-based
individuals including Hafiz Saeed and
Zaki- ur Rahman Lakhvi, and entities
including Lashkar-e-Taiba/Jamaat-ud-
Dawaa under the relevant provisions
of the United Nations Security Council’s
Resolution No. 1267 was successfully
pursued….

Our concerns regarding anti-India
terrorism emanating from Pakistan
have been taken up with international
community and also bilaterally with
Pakistan on a number of occasions.

(The Minister of State in the Ministry of
External Affairs Question No.2041, Pakistan
Sponsored Terrorism, March 09, 2016, LOK
SABHA)

Discuss :
In August 2019, the ‘Special’ status granted to the state of Jammu and Kashmir under

the Art.370 of the Indian Constitution was revoked. The State was bifurcated in two Union
Territories:

(i) Jammu and Kashmir (with a Legislative Assembly) and
(ii) Ladakh (without a Legislative Assembly).
What are the implications of the change?

42

Left Wing Extremism in certain areas What is Left Wing Extremism?
In 2004, the People’s War (PW), then
The Naxalite movement that is now
referred to as Maoist movement or Left-Wing operating in Andhra Pradesh, and the
Extremism has its main support base amongst Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI),
the landless agricultural labour, dalits and then operating in Bihar and adjoining
tribal communities. It is also spreading into areas, merged to form the CPI (Maoist)
urban centers, especially the blue-collar Party. The CPI (Maoist) Party, is the
workers. It succeeds where there is a sense major Left-Wing Extremist outfit that has
of injustice, exploitation, oppression and a been included in the Schedule of Terrorist
feeling of neglect by the State. Organisations along with all its formations
and front organisations under the Unlawful
The roots of the Naxalite movement can Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The CPI
be traced to the Telangana movement (1946- (Maoist) philosophy is to use armed
51). It was the first serious attempt to insurgency to overthrow the Government.
promote a peasant struggle by the Indian
communists. The movement did gain an Naxal attacks, Gadchiroli
initial success but the momentum
of the movement ended with the this is to show the governance structures at
land reforms initiated by the Indian field levels as being ineffective. Maoist
government. Naxalism began as a operations are based primarily in the rural
protest against the feudal order in and under-developed areas of India. Areas
1967 at Naxalbari in West Bengal. that lack communication facilities, are
At an ideological level the roots generally forested or have difficult terrain
may be traced in the writings of where the security forces cannot operate with
Charu Majumdar whose articles impunity, are the areas of operation of the
were based on the ideology of Naxal groups.
Marx-Lenin-Mao. This movement
lost its momentum in the seventies Some of their broad tactics are as
after the arrest of Muzumdar and follows:
the government policies of non-tolerance of
the agitation. Later in 1980s it was revived (i) Use of propaganda slogans
once again and has eventually taken a (ii) Establishment of a mass movement
militant turn. (iii) Mobilisation of women, tribals and

In 2004, the Naxalite groups, the minorities into the revolution.
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (iv) Mobilisation of urban population on
and other similar groups joined together to
form the Communist Party of India (Maoist). mass issues
This unified CPI (Maoist) party represented
a unified organisational network based on the
ideological foundations of Marxism-Leninism-
Maoism.

The Ministry of Home Affairs observes
that efforts are made by Left Wing Extremists
to prevent execution and implementation of
development works including infrastructure
like railways, roads, power and telecom
through violence and terror. The purpose of

43

(v) Develop appropriate forms of Terrorism is a form of warfare. It is
military organisations called ‘asymmetric warfare’ because there is
no pattern to the nature of violent attacks
The United Nations reports the recruitment that are conducted. The traditional form of
and use of children as young as 6 years of terrorism was state-centric. The fight was for
age by armed groups, including the Naxalites. a specific people fighting for their rights
Children were coerced to join children’s units against the State. For example, the Liberation
(“Bal Dasta”), where they were trained and Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were fighting
used as couriers and informants, to plant for the rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka, Irish
improvised explosive devices and in front- Republican Army (IRA) fought for the rights
line operations against national security of the Irish people, Basque Fatherland and
forces. The report also noted that the Liberty (ETA) separatists fought for their
abduction of children, especially girls, by rights against the Spanish government.
armed groups was a serious concern.
Modern form of terrorism is not state-
Terrorism centric. The modern-day terrorist fights for
abstract ideological goals or beliefs. These
Terrorism has been looked at as a threat goals may be religious in nature. They are
to use violence with an intention to create usually part of some organisation that fights
panic in the society. It is a deliberate, at a global level. The New York attack of
politically motivated violence against civilian 11 September 2001 (popularly called 9/11) is
targets. These targets are called ‘soft targets’. considered the beginning of modern-day
Attacks on buses, trains, train or bus stations, terrorism. The Nigerian terrorist group Boko
airports, cinema theatres, markets, malls, etc. Haram, the Afghan Taliban are some
are the tactics used. The purpose is usually examples of such groups.
to create panic in the public.

Some examples of terrorist attacks in • On 13 December 2001, five terrorists
India belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)
and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) targeted the
• On 12 March 1993, a total of 12 Indian Parliament .
bomb explosions rocked Mumbai in
succession on one day resulting in • On 24 September 2004, the Akshardham
257 fatalities and 717 injuries. The Temple complex at Gandhinagar,
explosions were caused at Commercial Gujarat, came under attack by two
Centers and other landmarks of armed terrorists. As many as 30 people
Mumbai like Air India building, Stock were killed and more than 80 injured
Exchange building, Hotel Sea Rock, in the attack.
Hotel Juhu Centaur, Hotel Airport
Centaur, Plaza Theatre etc. Besides, • On 11 July 2006, a series of seven
hand grenades were also thrown at blasts took place in Mumbai’s local
Hindu Fishermen Colony in Mahim trains over a period of 11 minutes
and Sahar Airport, Mumbai. during evening rush hour. The bombs
were set off in pressure cookers on
• On 14 February 1998, bomb blasts trains plying the Western line of the
were carried out at 11 separate Suburban Railway network. A total of
locations in Coimbatore, killing 58 209 people were killed and over 700
people and injuring over 200 others. were injured.

44

• On 8 February 2007, bombs were set • On 18 September 2016, the militant
off in two carriages in the Samjhauta group Jaish-e-Mohammed was involved
Express which runs twice a week in the planning and execution of the
connecting Delhi and Lahore, 68 attack on security forces at Uri in
people were killed in the attack while Kashmir.
dozens were left injured.
• On 14 February 2019, a convoy of
• On 26 November 2008 a series of vehicles carrying CRPF security
terrorist attacks took place in Mumbai. personnel on the Jammu Srinagar
The places where the attacks took National Highway was attacked by a
place included the Chhatrapati Shivaji vehicle-borne suicide bomber in the
Maharaj Railway Terminal, the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir,
Oberoi Trident and Taj Palace Hotels, India.
Leopold Café, Cama Hospital,
Nariman House. Metro Cinema, and • On 1 May 2019, a landmine killed 15
some other places. The attacks were Indian police and their driver in
conducted by members of the Laskar- Gadchiroli. Police have blamed the blast
e-Taiba, an organisation based in on Naxalite groups.
Pakistan

Terrorist attacks, Mumbai : July 2006 and November 2008

Role of the State and stability is minimised.

Public order, peace and stability are a Look at the chart to understand the role
critical necessity for progress. An unruly of the state in maintaining peace, stability
society would lead to economic disaster. The and national integration. The first level is
quality of life of our citizens is in great of basic goals that are given in the Indian
measure dependent upon the maintenance of Constitution. The second level deals with
public order. There is an inextricable link what the State is expected to do in case of
between the maintenance of order and conflict problems in their early stages. The third level
resolution. If conflicts are managed properly, is when there is a crisis and the State has
the likelihood of breaches of peace, order to deal with it.

45

Role of the State The State has to deescalate the
momentum of the demands by providing
State Goals / Role : Basic Level increased representation through Councils,
The State has to ensure Political Stability Boards, etc. Open industries in backward
by using constitutional machinery of areas; start employment generation schemes;
representation; Economic Prosperity through promote private sector investment and public-
integrated and all-round development of all private partnership in rural areas.
regions and Socio-Cultural development
through Welfare State. All these are goals State Goals / Role : Third Level
and values that have been enshrined in the (This is when the issue becomes violent.
Indian Constitution. Examples: Gorkhaland agitation, Jharkhand
agitation, etc.)
State Goals / Role : Second Level
(This is when problems start to occur. The State has to manage and resolve the
Examples: demand for political identity by conflict. This is done by the use of force as
regions based on language, ethnicity, etc.; necessary (police or armed forces), Create
demand for decentralisation of economic Development Boards; provide direct Central
decision making; demand for reservations; (Union) assistance; grant regional autonomy
etc.) through Autonomous Councils; etc.

In the next chapter we will be looking will study the concept of citizen centric
at another aspect of contemporary India. We administration that is part of good governance.

See the following website for additional information:
1. Second Administrative Reforms Commission Reports:

5th Report: Public Order
8th Report: Combating Terrorism – Protecting by Righteousness.
https://darpg.gov.in/arc-reports
2. Background Note on National Integration Council
https://mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/NICBackG-171013.pdf
https://www.niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/India%20VNR_Final.pdf

Exercise

Q.1 (A) Choose the correct option. (2) Charu Majumdar is associated with the
(1) ‘Unity in diversity’ is one of the (a) JKLF
important Indian value associated with (b) Naxal movement
(a) Panchayati Raj (c) Hizb-ul-Mujahideen
(b) National integration (d) Assam Oil Blockage
(c) Concept of a nation
(d) Concept of ‘melting pot’

46

(B) Identify the incorrect pair in every (B) State whether the following statements
set, correct it and rewrite. are true or false with reason.

(i) Jawaharlal Nehru - Discovery of India (1) Democracy is required to establish
(ii) Struggle for rights of Tamil - LTTE national integration and social
(iii) National Integration Council - Article transformation.

370 (2) National movement in India played an
important role in national integration.
Q.2 (A) Find the odd one. Nationalism,
Terrorism, Naxalism, Q.4 Explain the co-relation between the
Extremism following.
National Unity and Regional Aspirations
(B) State the appropriate concept for the
given statement. Q.5 Express your opinion.
Peace and stability are needed for the
(1) Threat use violence with an intention to nation’s progress.
create panic in the society -
Q.6 Answer the following.
(2) Involvement of people in decision (1) What is left wing extremism in India ?
making process of state - (2) Explain cross border terrorism in Jammu
and Kashmir.
Q.3 (A) Complete the concept map.
Activity
Values of Trace the changes that have taken place in
National Art 370 of the Indian constitution.
Integration


47

5. Contemporary India : Good Governance

In this chapter we will explore the Today, besides the government, various
concept of good governance and citizen non-state actors (Non-Governmental
centric administration which has become an Organisations and Voluntary Organisations)
important aspect of changing nature of public play an important supportive role in public
administration particularly in the era of administration. The word used to describe
globalisation. this cooperative effort of the government and
non-governmental bodies in public
Let us begin with few questions. What administration is ‘governance’. This is a
is government? What is governance? What broader view of public administration. Thus
should be the role of government in citizen governance is broader than government. It
administration? Should they play any role includes not only the formal institutions of
and how they can play that role? government (E.g. Legislature, Executive,
Bureaucrats, etc.) but also informal institutions
We as citizens come in contact with the (E.g. NGO’s, Civil Society Organisations,
government’s administrative machinery on a Private sector organisations). The concept of
daily basis. For instance, you may need a governance also aims to improve the
birth certificate, death certificate, Aadhar performance of public institutions with a
Card, PAN Card, Ration Card etc. We may focus on citizens.
have complaints against the local government
for not repairing or maintaining roads, Do this.
clearing the garbage, etc.. How the
government’s administrative agencies respond Identify NGO’s that are working in
to these various demands, need and your Area/City/State. Look at the issues
requirements of citizens will determine the and work done by them. In which NGO
success or failure of the government would you like to work?
administration.

Since early 1980s there has been an Evolution and Meaning
increasing focus on the performance of the
public administration institutions. To ensure Several changes took place in the world
performance it is necessary that values like in 1990s. These changes include the following:
accountability, responsibility, transparency
and citizen’s feedback need to be introduced (i) Globalisation of the world economy :
in the realm of public administration. Globalisation had several dimensions:
(a) The technological revolution in the
What is the role of the State towards its sector of communication brought in the
citizens? In the 11th standard we saw the internet, mobile communications, TV,
role of public administration. We saw that etc. These developments and the growth
there was a ‘narrow’ role described as of social networking brought in instant
POSDCORB and a broader role that included connectivity and transparency in the
all the three branches of the government. administrative system. (b) International
economic relations changed, trade and
We also saw how the concept of investment became an important
development administration brought in economic issue. This made international
changes in this traditional role. We noted funding agencies more influential.
that in development administration the citizens
play an important role in public administration. (ii) International Institutions : There is a

48

growing influence of international Following chart gives us a clear idea of
funding agencies like International the values that are part of this model
Monetary Fund, World Bank, Asian
Development Bank, United Nations Consensus Accountable
Development Programme, United Nations oriented Transparent
Environment Programme, United Nations
International Children's Emergency Fund Participatory Good Responsive
etc.: These donor agencies now influenced Governance
the policies of the Third World countries.
They wanted reforms in the traditional Follows the Equitable
administrative setup of the countries that rule of law Effective and and inclusive
were seeking aid.
Efficient
(iii) Non-state actors : Voluntary
Organisations and Non-Governmental Maharashtra State Good Governance
Organisations started to play a greater Framework
role in public administration.
- Right to Information Act and Rules,
These changes brought in a rethinking in 2005
approaches to public administration. It was
felt that the traditional approaches of public - Maharashtra Public Records Act, 2005
administration would not satisfy the
requirements of the citizens. This brought in - Maharashtra Prevention of Delay in
a shift from public administration as an Discharge of Official Duty Act, 2005
approach to governance. Governance approach
is a break from the traditional model of - Maharashtra Guarantee of Services to
public administration. Citizens Act, 2015

These reforms sought to revamp the In the following section we try to
traditional, archaic, elephantine sized public understand the core values of good governance.
administration riddled with delays, red tape,
and corruption. It aimed to replace these old Values of Good Governance:
systems with responsive, responsible, Participatory:
participative, equitable public administration. It is one of the most essential aspects of
The new model is popularly called as ‘Good good governance. Effective functioning of
Governance’ model. This model also looks at any democratic system requires people’s
the inter-linkages between state (government), participation. It ensures that voices and
and civil society. This model wanted to choices of people are heard. People get an
make administration citizen centered and not opportunity to participate in the process of
rule bound. decision making and its implementation.
Rule of law:
What is civil society? The supremacy of the law of the land
i.e. constitution, is another core value of
Civil society refers to a wide range of good governance. The constitutional values
organisations. They include community are the guiding posts for the administration.
groups, non-governmental organisations All are treated equally in front of the law.
[NGOs], labour unions, indigenous groups, It ensures a just and fair polity where rights
charitable organisations, faith-based of the people are safeguarded.
organisations, professional associations,
foundations, etc. .

49

Transparency Accountability

The culture of secrecy has been Accountability is a key requirement of
challenged by the value of transparency. This good governance. Not only governmental
enables the people to keep the government institutions but also the private sector and
under public scrutiny. In India since 2005 civil society organisations must be accountable
the Right to Information Act has been giving to the public and to their institutional
the citizens the right to seek information stakeholders. Who is accountable to whom
related to the functioning of the government. depends on whether decisions or actions
taken are internal or external to an
Responsiveness organisation or institution. In general an
organisation or an institution is accountable
Good governance requires that institutions to those who will be affected by its decisions
and processes try to serve all stakeholders or actions. Accountability cannot be enforced
within a reasonable timeframe. The without transparency and the rule of law.
government is prompt in taking decisions and
specially pays heed to the problems and Initiatives for good governance and
designs the policies accordingly. citizen centric administration in India:

Consensus Oriented In the post-independence period India
adopted a socialist and welfare model of
There are several view- points in a given development. The development administration
society. Good governance requires a dialogue approach had a focus on people’s participation.
between various segments of the society. This However, despite periodic efforts and
can help to reach a broad consensus on what programmes, genuine participation of people
is in the best interest of the whole community in the process of governance was not able to
and how this can be achieved. It also requires be achieved.
a broad and long-term perspective on what
is needed for sustainable human development The Department of Administrative
and how to achieve the goals of such Reforms and Public Grievances under the
development. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions, Government of India, looks after
Equity and Inclusiveness administrative reforms in India. Its objectives
are to (i) promote administrative reforms in
A society’s well-being depends on government policies, structures and processes,
ensuring that all its members feel that they (ii) Promote citizen-centric governance with
have a stake in it. No one should feel emphasis on grievance redressal, and (iii)
excluded from the mainstream of society. Conduct innovations in e-governance.
This requires all groups, but particularly the
most vulnerable, have opportunities to The Second Administrative Reforms
improve or maintain their well-being. Commission (ARC) was set up with a
mandate to prepare a blue print for revamping
Effectiveness and Efficiency the public administration system in India. It
was expected to suggest measures to achieve
Good governance means that processes a pro-active, responsive, accountable,
and institutions produce results that meet the sustainable and efficient administration for
needs of society while making the best use the country at all levels of government. One
of resources at their disposal. The concept of of the main tasks of the Commission was
efficiency in the context of good governance concerned with Citizen Centric Administration.
also covers the sustainable use of natural
resources and the protection of the
environment.

50

Do you know? (iii) Citizen centric administration : Ensure
greater involvement of people’s
Jawaharlal Nehru on Citizen representatives and community at large
Centric Administration in the conceptualisation and execution of
programmes.
‘‘…. Administration is meant to
achieve something, and not to exist in Reforms that aimed at changing public
some kind of an ivory tower, following administration in India:
certain rules of procedure and,
Narcissus-like, looking on itself with There have been a large number of
complete satisfaction. The test after all reform measures which have sought to bring
is the human beings and their welfare.” administration closer to the people. Broadly
these initiatives include:

(i) Enacting laws giving certain rights
to people

The commission maintained that (ii) Setting up of new institutional
governance, in order to be citizen centric, mechanisms to redress citizens’
should be participative and transparent. It grievances
should be effective, efficient and responsive
to the citizens. Furthermore, an ethos of (iii) Improving accessibility to citizens
serving the citizens should permeate all by setting up units closer to people
government organisations. Government
organisations should also be accountable to (iv) Simplifying procedures to reduce
the people. One of the primary functions of bureaucratic delays
the State is to promote the welfare of its
citizens. Therefore an evaluation of the (v) Using technology to improve internal
functioning of the institutions of governance efficiency
will ultimately have to be based on the
satisfaction they provide to the citizens. In (vi) Rewarding government employees
this regard, prominence would need to be who perform well
attached to the voice of the citizens
themselves. (vii) Improving discipline within the
organisation
In particular the Second Administrative
Reforms Commission looked at the following (viii) Reducing regulatory control
issues to revamp the traditional public
administration in India: (ix) Holding public contact programmes
etc.
(i) Accountable and Transparent
Government: The focus was on creating Do this.
a system of accountability and
transparency in administration. There Find out examples of the reforms that
was also a need to avoid delays in the have been initiated for each of the above.
service provided.
E.g. (i) Enacting laws giving rights to
people: Reform initiated - Right to
Information (2005).

(ii) Make administration more result-
oriented: Various administrative
processes were to be simplified made
user-friendly.

51

Administrative Reforms in India: Dialogue with ombudsman are to investigate complaints
citizens in a District Collector’s Office at the against government officials and attempt to
Janata Darbar resolve them.

The State of Maharashtra was the first
and pioneer State in India to introduce the
concept of Lokayukta. The Maharashtra
Lokayukta Institution came into being in
1972. The Lokayukta can investigate
allegations or grievances arising out of the
conduct of public servants including political
executives, legislators, officers of the State
Government, local bodies, public enterprises
and other instrumentalities of Government. A
member of the public can file specific
allegations with the Lokayukta against any
public servant for enquiry. The Lokayukta
can also initiate suo-moto inquiry into the
conduct of public servants. The Government
of India appointed Pinaki Chandra Ghose as
the first Lokpal in 2019.

Do you know?

Administrative Reforms in India : Suo moto is a Latin term. It means
Corrections in Aadhar Card being made at a ‘on its own motion’. It is used where a
government agency acts on its own.
District Collector’s Office

Let us discuss some of the specific 2) Citizens’ Charters
programmes that aimed at bringing good
governance in India. Citizens’ Charter is based on the premise
that the Citizen is “King” and government
1) Lokpal and Lokayukta organisations exist to serve the citizens. In
order to ensure that both, the service providers
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 as well as citizens realise that public agencies
came into force in 2014. The Act provides are meant to provide service, each organisation
for the establishment of a body of Lokpal should spell out the services it has to perform
for the Union and Lokayukta for States. This and then specify the standards/norms for
office would inquire into allegations of these services. Once this is done then the
corruption against public functionaries. It organisation can be held accountable if the
shows the Government’s commitment to clean service standards are not met. Government of
and responsive governance. India commenced the exercise to formulate
Citizens’ Charters in 1996.
The concept of Lokpal has been taken
from Sweden where the office is called the
Ombudsman. The typical duties of an

52

महाराष्र्ट शासन

नोंदणी व मुदााकं ववभाग

नागररकाचां ी सनद

नोंदणी व मदु ाकंा ववभागातर्फे नागररकाानं ा दणे ्ात ्णे ाऱ्ा सेवाबां ाबतची सनद

अ. सेवचे ा तपशील अर्ज कोणत्ा अरज् मंरा ूर करणारे/ सेवा पुरवण्ास
क्र. का्ा्जल्ात सादर वनण्ज् घेणारे अविकारी लागणारा कालाविी

करावा 30 णमणनटे

दयु ्म वनबंिा क का्ाज्ल्ामार््फत पुरवण्ात ्ेणाऱ्ा सवे ा 5 णदवस
15 णदवस
१. दसत नोंदिरी करिे. दयु ्यम णनबधं क दयु ्यम णनबधं क
5 णदवस
२. दसताच्या सचू रीचरी प्रमाणित नक्कल दिे .े दुय्यम णनबधं क दयु ्यम णनबंधक 15 णदवस
(अ) फेब्.रु 2002 नतं रच्या दसताबाबत त्याच णदवशरी
(ब) फेब्रु. 2002 पवू वीच्या दसताबाबत 2 तास
5 णदवस
३. दसताचरी प्रमाणित नक्कल दिे े. दयु ्यम णनबंधक दयु ्यम णनबंधक 3 णदवस
(अ) फेब्.रु 2002 नतं रच्या दसताबाबत 3 णदवस
(ब) फेब्र.ु 2002 पूववीच्या दसताबाबत त्याच णदवशरी
त्याच णदवशरी
४. शोध उपलबध करिे. दयु ्यम णनबंधक दयु ्यम णनबधं क
14 णदवस
५. नोटरीस ऑफ इणं टमेशन फाईल करून घेिे. दयु ्यम णनबंधक दुय्यम णनबंधक 30 णदवस

६. जनरु ा मळू दसत नोंदिरी करून परत दिे े. दयु ्यम णनबंधक दयु ्यम णनबधं क 45 णदवस

७. मुदर ाकं शरुलक भरण्याचे प्र्योजनार्थ मूल्याकं न अहवाल दिे े. दुय्यम णनबंधक दुय्यम णनबंधक 45 णदवस
(सरुनाविरीनरसु ार)
८. दसत नोंदिरी संदभा्थत गृहभटे देिे. दयु ्यम णनबंधक दुय्यम णनबंधक
15 णदवस
९. णवशषे कलु मुखर त्यारपत्ाचे अणधप्रमािन करून देि.े दुय्यम णनबधं क दयु ्यम णनबधं क
22 णदवस
१०. मृत्यकरु त्याचथ् ्या मतृ ्यनू तं र मृत्यपू त् नोंदिरी करि.े दुय्यम णनबंधक दुय्यम णनबंधक
30 णदवस
सह वरलहा वनबंािक का्ा्जल्ामार्फ्त देण्ात ्णे ाऱ्ा सेवा त्याच णदवशरी

११. नोंदिरी झालेल्या दसतणवष्यक अणभलेख दरु ूसतरीस परवानगरी देि.े दुय्यम णनबंधक सह णजलहा णनबधं क 45 णदवस
35 णदवस
१२. दसत नोंदिरीस सादर करण्यासाठरी णकंवा कबुरलरीजबाब दणे ्यासाठरी झालले ा दयु ्यम णनबंधक सह णजलहा णनबंधक
णवलंब क्षमाणपत करिे.

१३. दसत नोंदिरीदरम्यान खोटे णनवदे न णकंवा तोत्येणगररी संदभा्तथ रील तक्ारींवररील सह णजलहा णनबंधक सह णजलहा णनबधं क
का्यवथ् ाहरी करिे.

१४. दसत नोंदिरी नाकारण्याच्या आदेशाणवरुद्ध अणपलावररील का्य्वथ ाहरी करिे. सह णजलहा णनबंधक सह णजलहा णनबधं क

१५. सह णजलहा णनबंधक का्याल्थ ्यात नोंदिरी झालले ्या दसताचरी/त्या दसताच्या सह णजलहा णनबंधक सह णजलहा णनबधं क
सचू रीचरी प्रमाणित नक्कल दिे े.

१६. दसत नोंदिरी न केलले ्या प्रकरिामं ध्ये, ई-पमे ेटं पद्धतरीने भरलले ्या नोंदिरी दुय्यम णनबधं क सह णजलहा णनबंधक
फी चा परतावा दिे े.

१७. नोंदिरी झालले ्या दसतास जादा भरलेल्या नोंदिरी फी चा परतावा देि.े दयु ्यम णनबंधक सह णजलहा णनबंधक

१८. मतृ ्यरुपत्ाचा सरीलबंद लखोटा जमा करिे, परत घिे े णकंवा उघडि.े सह णजलहा णनबधं क सह णजलहा णनबंधक

मदु ााकं वरलहाविकारी का्ाज्ल्ामार्फत् दणे ्ात ्णे ाऱ्ा सवे ा

१९. दसताचे मदुर ांक शलुर काबाबत अणभणनि्थ्य करिे. मदुर ांक णजलहाणधकाररी मरदु ाकं णजलहाणधकाररी

२०. मरुदाकं शुलर काचा परतावा दिे .े मदुर ाकं णजलहाणधकाररी मरुदाकं णजलहाणधकाररी

• नागररकाचंा ्ा सववसतर मावहतीसाठी सनदचे ी सपां ूण्ज प्रत सह वरलहा वनबिां क ्ाांच्ाकडे पाहणीसाठी उपलबि आहे.
• ‘नागररकांाची सनद’ व ‘सारथी’ ही पुसतके www.igrmahhelpline.gov.in ्ा वबे साईटवर उपलबि आहते .
• सनदचे ्ा अमंा लबरावणीबाबत प्रवतवक्र्ा नोंदवण्ासाठी [email protected] ्ा ई-मले चा वापर करा.
• दसत नोंदणी व मदु ाकां शुलकाबाबत अडचण आल्ास कॉल करा - सारथी हले पलाईन - र्ोन क्र. 8888007777

नोंदणी महावनरीक्षक व मुदााकं वन्ांत्रक,
महाराष््टर राज्, पुणे

53

Can you find out? Over the years, a large number of
initiatives have been undertaken by various
Go onto the websites of the State Governments and Central Ministries to
Government of India and Government of bring in an era of e-Government. Efforts
Maharashtra and look at the Citizen have been made at various levels to improve
Charters. Discuss the contents in class the delivery of public services and simplify
the process of accessing them. e-Governance
3) E-Governance in India has evolved from computerisation of
Government Departments to such initiatives
Revolution in Information and in Governance, such as citizen centricity,
Communications Technology (ICT) has the service orientation and transparency.
potential of elevating the governance process
to new levels. That is the reason why The objective of the National
countries around the world are increasingly e-Governance Plan of the Government of
opting for ‘e-Governance’. Governance has India is to bring public services closer home
become more complex and varied in the last to citizens. This is to be achieved by building
few decades. Citizens’ expectations from a countrywide infrastructure reaching down
government have also increased manifold. to the remotest of villages and large-scale
ICT facilitates efficient storing and retrieval digitisation of records to enable easy, reliable
of data, instantaneous transmission of access over the internet. Today application
information, processing information and data for a birth certificate, death certificate, PAN
faster than the earlier manual systems. This card or even a Passport can be done online.
helps in speeding up governmental processes, This has brought administration closer to
taking decisions expeditiously and judiciously, people.
increasing transparency and enforcing
accountability. It also helps in increasing the Can you find out?
reach of government – both geographically
and demographically. Find out E-governance initiatives of
Government of Maharashtra.

Website of the Regional Transport Office (RTO).

54

4) Right to Information 5) Citizen participation

Right to information is one of the most Citizen participation in governance is
important aspects of good governance. It seen as contributing to a healthy democracy.
provides access to information about public It enhances and improves upon the traditional
policies and actions. It is the key to form of representative democracy to transform
strengthening participatory democracy and it into more responsive and thus a participative
ushering in people centred governance. democracy.
Transparency in government organisations
makes them function more objectively, All the above programmes ensure citizens
predictably and also enables citizens to participation in governance. Citizens are not
participate in the governance process to be considered as recipients of development
effectively. In a fundamental sense, right to but as participants in the development process.
information is a basic necessity of good It is essentially a ‘bottom- up’ approach and
governance. The Right to Information Act, not a ‘top- down’ approach. It refers to the
2005 has enabled citizens to seek important modalities by which citizens can influence
public information from the government. and take control over resources and decision
making about development. It accepts that
Do this. the citizens have a legitimate right in making
decisions about their future.
Find out how an application for the
Right to Information is prepared. Prepare
a sample application for getting information
from a government office.

Six Pillars for achieving the vision of e-Governance

Policy / Legal Frameworks
Capacity Building Framework

Funding Framework
Institutional Framework
Core-Governance Common

Infrastructure
Common State-wide Projects

55

Six pillers of e-governance Special Institutional Mechanisms

The Government of Maharashtra The benefits of good governance must
has identified six priority pillars to be available to all the sections of the society.
use e-governance so as to become The constitution provides for socio-economic
proactive and responsive to its citizens’ and political safeguards to certain
needs. disadvantaged sections of the society. Besides
the safeguards provided for them the
Pillar 1 : Establishment of Policy/ government has created several commissions
Legal Frameworks: Legal Framework to safeguard the rights of different sections
has to be updated regularly with of the society. These include the following:
changing times and technologies.
(i) National Commission for Scheduled
Pillar 2 : Develop Strong Capacity Castes : Deals with matters related to
Building Framework: Capacity the safeguards provided under the
Building of employees is necessary. constitution and inquire into specific
complaints relating to deprivation of
Pillar 3 : Facilitate abundant rights of the Schedule Caste community.
Funding: Ensure mechanisms for
provision of adequate and timely (ii) National Commission for Scheduled
funds. Tribes : Deals with matters related to
the safeguards provided under the
Pillar 4 : Institutional Framework: constitution and inquire into specific
Develop administrative structures that complaints relating to deprivation of
are capable of envisioning and guiding rights of the Schedule Tribe community.
the e-Governance programs.
(iii) National Human Rights Commission :
Pillar 5 : Build Core e-Governance It deals with protection of rights relating
Common Infrastructure: Develop the to life, liberty, equality and dignity
core e-Governance infrastructure like guaranteed by the constitution.
Data Centre, Common Service Centres
and State Wide Area Network etc. (iv) National Commission for Women :
This was created to facilitate the
Pillar 6 : Develop Common State redressal of grievances and accelerate
wide Projects: Develop applications socio-economic development of women.
like e-Tendering, e-Office, SMS
gateway, payment gateway etc. that (v) National Commission for the
are common to majority of state Protection of Child Rights : It seeks
departments to ensure coordination. to protect, promote and defend child
rights in the country. The Commission
Can you find out? defines a child as a person in the 0 to
18 years of age group.
The Consumer Protection Act was
passed in 1986 to protect the interest of Do you know?
the consumers. Have you heard or read
about the Consumer Courts ? Find out The National Commission for
how the Consumer Court functions. Will Minorities recognises the following
you go to a Consumer Court if a religious communities as minority
shopkeeper cheats you? Discuss in the communities: Muslim, Sikh, Christian,
classroom. Buddhist, Parsis and Jain.

56

(vi) National Commission for Backward Discuss :
Classes : The focus is welfare of
socially and economically backward Discuss the organisation and role of
classes. any one of the above commissions.

(vii) National Commission for Minorities : The Indian constitution has laid down
It monitors the working of the safeguards the framework of good governance through
for minorities provided in the the Fundamental Rights and Directive
Constitution and by laws enacted by Principles of State Policy. Based on these the
the Parliament and the State government has tried to develop an
Legislatures. institutional framework for good governance.
The core of good governance is a citizen
(viii) National Consumer Disputes Redressal centric approach to administration. It creates
Commission : This provides for a an environment wherein all classes of people
consumer disputes redressal mechanism. can develop to their full potential. A
responsive, accountable, sustainable and
efficient administration for the country is
what India seeks to achieve.

See the following website for additional information:

1. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India.
https://meity.gov.in/divisions/national-e-governance-plan

2. Citizen Centric Administration (12th Report), 2009, Second Administrative Commission: Reports.
Department of Administrative Reforms and Grievances, Government of India
https://darpg.gov.in/arc-reports

3. Government of Maharashtra, E Governance Policy, 23 September 2011
https://www.maharashtra.gov.in/PDF/e_governance_policy.pdf

Exercise

Q.1 (A) Choose the correct option. Q.2 (A) Compete the concept map.

(1) The concept of Lokpal is taken from Values of Accountable
(a) United States Good
(b) United Kingdom
(c) Sweden Governance
(d) Russia
(B) State whether the following statements
(2) The concept of ‘citizens charter’ is part are true or false with reason.
of
(a) POSDCORB (1) Lokayukta can investigate complaints
(b) development administration against political executives.
(c) good governance
(d) NGO activity (2) Good Governance aims at efficient use
of natural resources.
(B) State the appropriate concept for the
given concept.
Person investigating complaints against
government officials -

57

Q.3 Explain co-relation between the following. Q.6 Answer the following question in detail
Good Governance and E-Governance. with help of given points.
Explain in detail the following values of
Q.4 Express your opinion. Good Governance.
(1) E-governance speeds up governmental (a) participation (b) transparency
processes. (c) responsiveness (d) accountability
(2) E-governance brought administration
closer to people. Activity

Q.5 Answer the following. (1) Find out the information regarding state
Explain various institutions protecting rights level commissions working for
of different sections in India. safeguarding rights of various sections
of society.

(2) Find out information on Ombudsman.



58

6. India and the World

The evolution of Indian foreign policy countries, having strong relations with
can be traced back to the period before regional groups (such as ASEAN or EU),
independence. It was an actor in international ensuring peace and order in the Indian Ocean
relations even as a British colony. It and the Indo-Pacific regions are also some
participated in the Bretton Woods Conference important objectives of contemporary foreign
that created the International Monetary Fund policy of India.
and the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development. It also was a part of the Principles of Indian Foreign policy
San Francisco Conferences that gave final
shape to the Charter of the United Nations. These are some fundamental ideas that
Post-independence Indian foreign policy was act as guidelines to foreign policy-makers in
a continuation of the legacy of the British India. They are listed below:
policy in some cases; whereas in some others,
it took positions which were completely • Sovereign Equality of states.
different from the British.
• Respect for the sovereignty and
We begin this chapter with understanding territorial integrity of all states.
the Objectives and Principles, as well as the
factors that influence the foreign policy of • Non-intervention in the internal
India. affairs of any other state .

Objectives of Indian Foreign policy • Respect for International Law

An important objective of Indian foreign • Active participation in International
policy is to maintain international peace and and Regional Organisations
security. It has been incorporated as a
Directive Principle of State Policy in Part IV • Belief in peaceful co-existence and
Article 51 of the Constitution of India which peaceful resolution of international
states that the governments of India shall disputes
strive for the promotion and maintenance of
international peace and security. Further, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech of 7
since independence, India aspired to emerge September 1946, given on the All India
as a major power and play an influential Radio spelt out the core features of India’s
role in international politics. foreign policy. He stated: ‘We propose, as
far as possible, to keep away from the power
The objectives of Indian foreign policy politics of groups, aligned against one
include protection of the sovereignty and another, which have led in the past to world
integrity of the country, promoting economic wars and which may again lead to disasters
growth and development, and ensuring on an even wider scale’. He also hoped to
national security in a broader sense. Since have friendly relations with England and
the 1990s, India has adopted the policy of greeted the United States and the Soviet
greater integration with the world economy Union. He hoped that the past friendship
in order to sustain a high growth rate. As a with China would continue in the future.
result, good relations with neighbouring About India’s position in Asia he said: ‘We
are of Asia and the peoples of Asia are
nearer and closer to us than others. India is
so situated that she is the pivot of Western,
Southern and South East Asia’.

59

Non-Alignment

Nonalignment has been an

important aspect of India’s foreign

policy. Non-alignment literally

means not to be a part of any

military alliance. It was India’s

response to the Cold War politics

of the two super powers. The

United States and the Soviet Union

attempted to extend their respective

‘sphere of influence’ through First Nonaligned Summit Meeting, Belgrade, 1961

promoting military alliances in Europe, Asia Can you find out?
and elsewhere in the world.

The First Summit Meeting of the

Do you know? Nonaligned countries at Belgrade (1961)

finalised the criterion for nonalignment.

Some of the important military Find out these criteria.

alliances during the cold war Factors influencing Indian Foreign policy

American Military Alliances: Geography : Its vast coastline in the
- North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in South and the presence of Himalayan
mountain ranges to the north and the
1949 (NATO) northeast have shaped India’s attitude
- ANZUS in 1951 (US, Australia, New towards foreign and security policy.
Similarly, the presence of a large country
Zealand); like China across almost the entire north
- South East Asia Treaty Organisation and north-eastern border also affects
India’s foreign policy. The unique
(SEATO) in 1954 geography of South Asia - while all
- Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO)

in 1955.

Soviet Military Alliances:

- The Soviet Union and China signed a neighbouring countries share a border with

military alliance in 1950. India, none share a border with each

- Warsaw Pact in 1955. other - shapes the foreign policy too. India
holds a dominant position in the Indian
Unlike many countries in the world that Ocean. It has an extensive coast line with
chose to align with an alliance by one of the Lakshdweep Islands in the west and
two super powers; India chose to remain Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the East.
“non-aligned”. It followed a policy of
maintaining ‘equidistance’ from both the History : This includes the impact of
super powers. The idea and policy of Non- India’s traditional cultural values, such as
Alignment is the contribution of India’s first peace and co-existence. It also includes
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. After the the influence of historical cultural ties with
end of the cold war questions were raised the neighbouring civilisations in West,
about the relevance of nonalignment. It must Central and Southeast Asia on India’s
be noted that the essential features of foreign policy. Some of the basic values
nonalignment, independent foreign policy and of Indian foreign policy like anti-
peace approach are still relevant today. colonialism and anti-racialism were laid
during the freedom struggle.

60

Economy : The policy of Non-Alignment India’s Relations with the World
has a political, economic and strategic
context. There was a strong urge to come Foreign policy is the instrument of a
out of poverty and backwardness that had country to establish, maintain and develop
emerged from the colonial period. India relations with the rest of the world. Since
also refused to accept financial aid from independence, India has established relations
various donor countries, if it came with with nearly all the countries in the world. It
conditions unacceptable to India. The is not necessary, nor possible, to have equally
policy of import-substitution and giving good or close relations with all countries.
importance to public sector enterprises With some countries, the relations are closer
had a tremendous impact on India’s or better than with some others. Usually,
foreign policy. Many fundamental changes relations with neighbouring countries are
have occurred in foreign policy of India important for the foreign policy of every
after adopting the policy of Liberalisation, country. Relations with major world powers
Privatisation and Globalisation in the are important for all countries.
post 1991 era.
In this section, we will take a broad
survey of relations of India with all the three

Polity : The Executive organ of major powers and India’s neighbours.

Government plays an important role in Major Powers
making and implementing the foreign
policy in India. Parliament plays the role The United States was one of the two
of watchdog. Political leadership makes super powers during the Cold War and is
significant impact on foreign relations of arguably the only super power in the post-
India. Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Cold War period. The Soviet Union was the
Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv other super power during the Cold War. Its
Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari successor state Russia has emerged as a
Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh and Narendra major influential power in world affairs in the
Modi played a decisive role in determining twenty-first century. In the same period, China
the foreign policy of India. The Ministry too has emerged as a major power. It is said
of External Affairs plays a pivotal role in that India is one of the emerging powers in
drafting the foreign policy and giving world affairs in the twenty-first century.
advice to the political executive. Besides
this, the National Security Advisor plays The United States : Relations between
an important role in making foreign policy. India and the United States were cordial
when India became independent. US President
International System : During the Cold F.D. Roosevelt had supported the case of
War, the bipolar system and super power India’s independence during his negotiations
politics had impacted the foreign policy of for the Atlantic Charter with the British
India. Similarly, there were major changes Prime Minister Winston Churchill. However,
in Indian foreign policy when the Cold India and the United States had quite different
War ended. Besides the international views of events during the Cold War. As a
system, the regional system has also made result, relations between the two remained
a deep impact on India’s foreign policy. estranged for most of the Cold War period.
Thus, Indo-US dialogue in the post-cold
war era, China-Pakistan dialogue since the India’s independent position on the crises
1960s and improved Russia-China relations in Hungary and Czechoslovakia, and its
since the late 1990s have influenced foreign criticism of American intervention in Vietnam,
policy. were some reasons for the American
displeasure. On the other hand, the American

61

position on the Kashmir dispute was a are also partners in
constant irritation for India. Since the 1970s, multilateral fora like
America’s close relations with Pakistan and the India-US-Japan,
China created problems for India. or India-US-Japan-
Australia.
When the Cold War ended and the
Soviet Union disintegrated, the relations Soviet Union/
between India and the United States did not Russia : Relationship
improve immediately. The United States with the Soviet Union
brought pressure on the new state of Russia was perhaps the most
to stop the supply of space technology to enduring relationship
India. Following India’s second nuclear test US Postal Service - of India during the
in 1998, the United States imposed sanctions Diwali postage stamp Cold War period.
on India. Soviet Union provided
aid in the form of technology and low-interest
Nature of Indo-American relations began credit to India’s heavy industry projects in
to change towards the end of the twentieth the public sector. It also provided major
century. India supported President Bush’s weapons to the Indian defence forces and
War on Terrorism. The American position on made agreements for licensed-production of
Kashmir gradually became more favourable some of these weapons in India. Indo-Soviet
to India. After the terrorist attack on the Friendship Treaty of 1971 was an important
Parliament of India in 2001 by terrorist milestone in the bilateral relations.
groups based in Pakistan, the American
government demanded that Pakistan stop
supporting such cross-border terrorism. The
real turning point in bilateral relations was
the signing of the India-US Civilian Nuclear
Cooperation Agreement in the year 2008.

Do you know?

Under Civil Nuclear Co-operation Joint issue of postage stamp
framework in 2008, India agreed to between India - Russia
separate civil from military use nuclear
facilities and place all its civil resources During the first few years after the
under IAEA safeguards. In exchange, the disintegration of the Soviet Union, relations
US agreed to work towards full civil between India and the new state of Russia
nuclear cooperation with India making were not good. They began to improve in the
India the only country outside NPT that late 1990s. Russia made agreements for a
has nuclear capabilities and allowed to joint venture to produce Sukhoi fighter
participate in nuclear commerce. aircraft and Brahmos missiles. It also agreed
to provide reactors for India’s Kudankulam
The US regards India as a major partner nuclear power plant. Russia sold its aircraft
in the Indo-Pacific. For India, the US is a carrier “Admiral Gorshkov” to India, which
major source of investment and a partner in is now known as “INS Vikramaditya”.
trade. Defence partnership between the two
countries is consistently growing. The two

62

Transfer of Russian weapons systems to India China Border Trade, Nathu La
India continues to be the main foundation of
bilateral relations. Besides, both countries have grown in the last two decades and
have major stakes in Russian oil fields such China is today among the three largest
Sakhalin-1 highlighting importance of energy trading partners of India. India continues to
security. have apprehensions and legitimate claims
against China’s ambitious Belt and Road
China : The Chinese Communist Initiative (BRI). However, China and India
revolution took place in 1949. India was partner with each other in multilateral fora
among the first few countries to recognise the such as the World Trade Organisation and
People’s Republic of China. The two countries on issues of Climate Change. Chinese support
went ahead to evolve friendly relations. They to Pakistan also continues to be one of the
signed a treaty in 1954 for trade and co- important reasons for irritation between the
operation that also recognised Chinese two countries.
sovereignty on Tibet.
India as Emerging Power
However, the relations between India
and China began to worsen towards the end China and India are recognized as
of the 1950s. One important reason for it important powers shaping international affairs
was the question of border between the two, in the world today. India is the second largest
both in Aksai Chin in Ladakh, and North country in terms of population, and one of
East Frontier Agency (NEFA), which is now the largest economies; besides being the
the state of Arunachal Pradesh in the Indian largest democracy in the world.
Union. A war on the border in 1962 resulted
in India’s defeat. Diplomatic relations were In terms of technological advances, India
cut off after that. Another important reason has achieved significant progress in areas of
was the difference of opinion regarding the nuclear, space and electronics technologies.
status of Tibet. China has been critical of This position of India has earned itself a
the Indian decision to give political asylum place in the G-20 Forum – the group of
to the Dalai Lama. twenty largest economies in the world. India
was one of the four countries (Brazil, Russia,
India and China resumed their full-scale India, China, BRIC) identified as the fastest
diplomatic relations in 1976. India made growing economies in the world. The group
attempts to improve relations with China also includes South Africa since 2010, and
under Prime Ministers Morarji Desai and
Rajiv Gandhi. The two countries established
Joint Working Groups to discuss the long-
disputed border and made the Agreement on
Maintenance of Peace andTranquility along
the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Relations between China and India in
the twenty-first century are quite complex in
nature. On the one hand, the border dispute
between the two countries has not been
resolved and continues to create tensions. On
the other hand, the two have opened the
Nathu La in Sikkim for cross-border trade.
Trade relations between the two countries

63

is since called BRICS. In the late 1990s, then 1955. However, the idea could not sustain
Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov itself due to the spread of cold war.
mooted the idea of a Trilateral Summit of
Russia, China and India, which was a The partition of India in 1947 created
recognition of India’s status as a major Pakistan (East and West Pakistan) as an
regional power. independent state. There have been tensions
between India and Pakistan since
Neighbourhood independence. The main cause of these
tensions had been the status of Kashmir. The
All South Asian countries share a border first Indo-Pak conflict of 1947-48 took place
with India. Myanmar, China, Sri Lanka, over Kashmir. This war saw the division of
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand and Indonesia Kashmir take place. Later in 1965 the two
are regarded as India’s Neighbours. countries fought another war over Kashmir.
The 1971 war led to the creation of the state
In addition, countries in the Indian of Bangladesh. In the initial years the
Ocean Region (IOR), from East Africa, Kashmir was looked at as a Indo-Pakistan
Persian Gulf to Malaysia, Vietnam; and those border issue. Later in the decade of 1990s
in Central Asian hinterland of IOR, form the the problem became that of terrorism. The
Extended Neighbourhood of India. Maintaining problem of Kashmir remains one of the most
good relations with all these countries has important issue of dispute between the two
been an objective of Indian foreign policy countries even today.
since independence.
Pakistan’s relations with China are also
Find out on map? a matter of concern for India. The China-
Pakistan Economic Corridor has been the
Does Afghanistan share a broder with route for Chinese investments in Pakistan.
India?
There have been several efforts made for
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru improving the bilateral relations between India
promoted the idea of Asian and African and Pakistan. The 1972 Shimla Agreement
regionalism and attempted to unite all newly and the 1999 Lahore Agreement are some of
independent countries. This led to the Asian the examples. However, India has not got the
Relations Conference in 1947 and later the
Bandung Conference held in Indonesia in

Lal Chowk, Srinagar : Two different images

64

desired response for its efforts from Pakistan. Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the
relations began to worsen. Disputes over land
Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan, known as the and maritime boundary and over distribution
“Himalayan Kingdoms”, were British of waters of Tista were some of the irritants
protectorates during the colonial period. After in the relationship. However, the relations
independence, India made similar treaties between the two countries have remained
with these countries. The landlocked friendly for the last more than five years.
Himalayan Kingdoms got access to sea from Cross-border terrorism and insurgency are
the Indian territory and India accepted the common areas of concern for both. In the
responsibility of the defence of these countries. recent time, India and Bangladesh have
India has mostly followed the policy of non- resolved the maritime boundary dispute as
intervention in the internal affairs of these well as the problem of land enclaves.
neighbours.
Burma (now Myanmar) and Ceylon
Sikkim opted to integrate with India in (now Sri Lanka) were part of British India.
1975 and is now a State in the Indian Union. After independence, India developed good
India’s relations with Nepal have experienced relations with both. Both these countries were
many ups and downs. In 2006, India helped co-convenors, with India, Pakistan and
Nepal overcome the crisis of civil war and Indonesia, of the Bandung Conference, 1955.
move towards a constitutional government.
Relations with Bhutan have mostly been very Relations with Sri Lanka have experienced
cordial. India has helped in Bhutan’s recent both good and bad phases. The two countries
exercise of moving towards a constitutional had a disputed maritime boundary and a
monarchy. related problem of fishermen of both sides
crossing into the territory of the other and
India’s intervention was very crucial in being captured by the coastal forces. Similarly,
securing independence for Bangladesh in the Tamil question in Sri Lanka has often
1971. Its relations with the new neighbour proved to be an irritant for the relations. Sri
were very cordial in the beginning. However, Lanka had accused India of supporting the
after the assassination of Bangladesh’s first

Farakka Barrage: Agreement on sharing of Ganges waters at Farakka was signed
between India and Bangladesh in 1996.

65

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE – Asia. One of the major partners in this effort
the rebel Tamil group, which later became a was Indonesia. However, relations with
terrorist group). India sent a Peacekeeping Indonesia began to cool off in the 1960s.
Force in Sri Lanka in 1987 at the request of India’s relations with most of the Southeast
the then Sri Lankan President Jayewardene. Asian countries were very nominal during the
This led to a prolonged period of bad relations Cold War period, as these countries were on
between the two. However, under the current the opposite side of the Cold War divide. An
governments in both countries, the relations exception was Vietnam. India had supported
have improved again. the struggle of Viet Minh and had openly
criticised American intervention in Vietnam.
Myanmar became an inward-looking Today Vietnam is one of the major partners
country and went into a self-imposed isolation of India. The two countries have deepened
after the military coup in 1962, leading to their relations into trade, technology and
cooling off of India-Burma relations. During military areas.
1992, India supported the pro-democracy
movement and its leader Ms. Aung San Suu As part of its “Look East” and “Act
Kyi. However, India improved its relations East” policy, India began to improve relations
with Myanmar soon thereafter. Support of with the countries in the region. Today, India
the Myanmar military has been important in has very good relations with Singapore,
India’s action against many insurgent groups which is its major trade partner as well as
and their leaders hiding in Myanmar. an investor in the Indian economy. Similarly,
relations with Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and
West Asia has always been an important Indonesia have also improved. Security of
region for India. Most of the crude oil, which trade routes, anti-piracy operations, security
has been crucial engine of growth of the of ocean resources are among the important
economy, has been coming from countries in areas of co-operation between India and
the region. However, there are more reasons these countries.
for India having good relations with countries
in West Asia. Iran has been a traditional After the end of the Cold War,
friend. Cultural and political ties since the international relations in Southeast Asia
middle ages have endured and shaped bilateral began to take a very different shape. The
relations even in the twentieth century. membership of the Association of Southeast
Similarly, relations with Saudi Arabia go well Asian Nations (ASEAN) enlarged from five
beyond oil supply and are shaped by historical to ten and it became a formidable group in
and religious factors. India has been a strong the region. ASEAN started building economic
supporter of the cause of the Palestinian partnerships with major countries in the
people and the Palestine Liberation region. India is also a beneficiary of this. It
Organisation (PLO). Relations with countries has a Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN.
in West Asia are important for another It is also a partner in ASEAN-promoted
reason. They work as a counter against regional security group, ASEAN Regional
Pakistan. India has also ensured that it keeps Forum (ARF).
excellent relations with Israel. In fact, Israel
is an important supplier of high-tech defence India has been an active partner in many
equipment to India.
regional organisations, including the South
After independence, Jawaharlal Nehru
attempted to weave unity among countries of Asian Association of Regional Co-operation

(SAARC), Shanghai Co-operation

Organisation, etc. It has also promoted sub-

regional co-operation groups such as the

BIMSTEC, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation.

66

Africa negotiating with Nigeria, Angola, Chad,
Africa, in the Indian world view of the Cameroon and Congo.
fifties and early sixties focused on support
for anti-colonial and national liberation (ii) Indian industry has now started to take
struggles and the question of the Indian interest in Africa. Indian industries are
diaspora. India supported the fight against likely to offer technological and material
apartheid, also provided financial and services to the developing countries of
material aid to liberation struggles in Africa Africa.
through multilateral agencies. The Action for
Resisting Invasion, Colonialism and Apartheid (iii) The third concern is that of the Indian
Fund (AFRICA Fund) created at the diaspora in Africa which is approximately
Nonaligned Summit at Harare also helped two million people in Eastern and
African counttries. Southern Africa which are also now
There are several issues and opportunities considered an asset by the Indian
in the context of India’s relations with Africa: government.
(i) In the changing world order of the 1990s
demands for energy security have come (iv) There is a concern about peace and
to dominate the world today. Currently security of the Indian Ocean area.
about 24 percent of Indian crude oil Countries from Somalia to South Africa
imports are sourced from the African fall under the Indian maritime strategic
continent. Indian oil companies are also perspective. The increasing cases of
investing in assets in the region. ONGC piracy in Somalian waters as also the
Videsh (OVL) has invested in Sudan and problem of terrorism has made this
Egypt, ONGC-Mittal Energy Ltd. has region sensitive to Indian concerns.
sought ties in Nigeria, Reliance is
(v) India continues to be one of the
India Africa Summit, New Delhi, 2015 destinations for military training in its
Defence Establishments including the
National Defence Academy, Pune (where
the main building ‘Sudan Block’ is a
symbol of cooperation between Sudan
and India), the Indian Military Academy,
Dehradun and the Staff College at
Wellington.

Indian Ocean Region

The Indian Ocean is one of the busiest
and most critical maritime transportation
links in the world. Almost a hundred thousand
ships a year pass through these waters,
carrying about half of the world’s container
shipments, one-third of the world’s bulk cargo
traffic and two-thirds of the oil shipments.
The economies of many of the littoral
countries depend heavily on the ports, the
shipping, and most importantly, the vast
natural resources that enrich these waters
with an abundance of marine life.

The Indian coastline presents both, an
opportunity and a challenge to India in terms

67

of its foreign and security perspectives. India Do you know?
has an extensive coastline of about 7500 km
and several hundred islands between The Indian Ocean Rim Association
Lakshadweep in the west and the Andaman (IORA) : The vision for IORA originated
and Nicobar Islands in the east. India’s during a visit by late President Nelson
southernmost tip is just 90 nautical miles Mandela of the Republic of South Africa
from Indonesia. Its Exclusive Economic Zone to India in 1995, where he said: “The
is 2.4 million square kilometers and 90% of natural urge of the facts of history and
our trade by volume and almost all of our geography ... should broaden itself to
oil imports come through the sea. It is an include the concept of an Indian Ocean
opportunity for the enormous ocean wealth Rim for socio-economic co-operation and
that it offers in terms of fishery, minerals, other peaceful endeavours. Recent changes
oil, etc. It is a challenge as it opens up in the international system demand that the
India’s borders for free entry and exit for a countries of the Indian Ocean shall become
variety of activities that may be detrimental a single platform." This sentiment and
to India’s national security. rationale led to the creation of the Indian
Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-
Indian Navy’s first Maritime Vision was operation in March 1997.
expressed in the Naval Plans Paper of 1948.
During the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict, the Today, IORA has 22 Member States
role of the Navy was restricted to the and 9 Dialogue Partners.
protection of trade routes. It was only in the
1971 conflict that the Navy played a Main objective of IORA is to promote
significant role. Indian Navy’s Maritime the sustained growth and balanced
Strategy, today, speaks of the need to project development of the region and of the
power as a means of supporting foreign Member States, and to create common
policy objectives. ground for regional economic co-operation.

The Indian government sought to harness Indian foreign policy had evolved around
India’s 7,500 km long coastline and 14,500 three pillars during the cold war era:
km of potentially navigable waterways and nonalignment in the international relations;
strategic location on key international preservation of autonomy in domestic affairs;
maritime trade routes, through the Sagarmala and solidarity among developing nations.
Programme which aimed to promote port-led This world view changed after 1991. Indian
development in the country. Two programmes, economy opened up under the economic
the Bharatmala and Sagarmala are liberalisation. India started to develop
compatible. The Bharatmala project is a relations with different powers on the basis
more comprehensive road connectivity plan. of a realist understanding of national interest.
Sagarlama complements it with port and During the cold war era, India used to be
river transport systems. considered a poor developing country. In the
post 1990s India has emerged as a significant
economic and technological power. It is now
an active participant in world affairs.

68

Do this. (Look at the World Map from a different perspective.)
Study the map given below. You will be able to understand the importance of the

Indian Ocean to India when you see the location of the Indian peninsula in the Indian
Ocean region.

Discuss the importance of the Indian Ocean in the classroom on the basis of this
map.

Indian Ocean

See the following website for additional information:
1. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Briefs on Foreign Relations

This website provides: (i) Briefs on India and Regional Organisations and (ii) Briefs on Bilateral
Relations with various countries. https://mea.gov.in/foreign-relations.htm
2. India and the United Nations, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
https://www.mea.gov.in/india-and-the-united-nations.htm3.
Government of Maharashtra, E Governance Policy, 23 September 2011
3. Annual reports, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
https://www.mea.gov.in/annual-reports.htm?57/Annual_Reports

69

Exercise

Q.1 (A) Choose the correct option. (2) In changing world order of 1990s,
the issue of terrorism has been
(1) The core of nonalignment was dominant.
(a) Independent understanding of
world affairs (3) The Sagarmala project is a more
(b) Participation in cold war comprehensive road connectivity
(c) Democratic socialism as policy plan.
(d) Policy of regionalism
Q.3 Express your opinion.
(2) Farakka Agreement about sharing of India’s role in the Indian Ocean.
river waters is between India and
(a) Bangladesh Q.4 Answer the following.
(b) Pakistan (1) Write a note on India’s relations
(c) China with Africa.
(d) Nepal (2) Discuss briefly India-China relations.

(B) Identify the incorrect pair in the Q.5 Answer the following question in detail
set. Correct it and rewrite. with help of the given points.
Explain the factors influencing Indian
1. (a) NATO - Europe foreign policy.
(b) ANZUS - Africa (a) Geography (b) History
(c) SEATO - South East Asia (c) International System Economy
(d) CENTO - West Asia (d) Polity

Q.2 State whether the following statements Activity
are true or false with reason. Read the speech on Indian Foreign
(1) Myanmar has been a traditional Policy given by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
friend of India. on All India Radio on 7th September
1946 and discuss it in class.



70

ANNEXURE I : ACRONYMS

ANZUS : Australia New Zealand United States
ARF : ASEAN Regional Forum
ASEAN : Association of Southeast Asian Nations
BIMSTEC : Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and
Economic Cooperation
BRICS : Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
Central Treaty Organisation
CENTO : European Court of Justice
Economic and Social Council
ECJ : European Coal and Steel Community
European Economic Community
ECOSOC : Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (Basque separatist group, Spain)
European Union
ECSC : Group of 20
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
EEC : International Atomic Energy Agency
Indian Ocean Rim Association
ETA : Irish Republican Army
Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
EU : Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
G 20 : Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Palestine Liberation Organisation
GATT : South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
South Asian Free Trade Area
IAEA : South Asian Preferential Trading Arrangement
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
IORA : Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property
IRA : Rights
UN Conference on Environment and Development
JKLF : World Trade Organisation

LTTE :

NATO :

NPT :

PLO :

SAARC :

SAFTA :

SAPTA :

SCO :

SEATO :

TRIPS :

UNCED :

WTO :

71

ANNEXURE II : SOME INFORMATION ABOUT NORTH EAST INDIA
North Eastern Region of India, comprises of the states of Arunachal Pradesh,

Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Geographical Area of North Eastern States (in Sq. Km.)

Sikkim

7096 Tripura

3% 10486
Nagaland 4%

16579

6%

Mizoram Arunachal Pradesh
21081 83743
32%
8%

Meghalaya
22429
9%

Manipur Assam
22327 78438
30%
8%

100,000,000 PopulaƟon of North Eastern States
10,000,000

1,000,000

100,000

10,000

1,000 Arunachal Assam Manipur Meghalaya Mizoram Nagaland Sikkim Tripura
Pradesh
Persons 31,205,576 2,570,390 2,966,889 1,097,206 1,978,502 610,577 3,673,917
Males 1,383,727 15,939,443 1,290,171 1,491,832 555,339 1,024,649 323,070 1,874,376
Females 713,912 15,266,133 1,280,219 1,475,057 541,867 953,853 287,507 1,799,541
669,815

72

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

Article Description

A. Part IX - The Panchayats

Article 243M Part not to apply to Certain Areas

Article 243ZC Part not to apply to Certain Areas

B. Part X - The Scheduled and Tribal Areas

Article 244 Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas

Article 244A Formation of an autonomous State comprising certain tribal

areas in Assam and creation of local Legislature or Council of

Ministers or both therefore

C. Part XXI - Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions

Article 371A Special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland

Article 371B Special provision with respect to the State of Assam

Article 371C Special provision with respect to the State of Manipur

Article 371F Special provision with respect to the State of Sikkim

Article 371G Special provision with respect to the State of Mizoram

Article 371H Special provision with respect to the State of Arunachal Pradesh

D. Sixth Schedule

Articles 244(2) Provisions as to the Administration of Tribal Areas in the

and 275(1) States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram

Major Religions : Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism

Languages spoken : English, Hindi, Assamese, Khasi, Garo, Jaintia, Manipuri, Mizo,
Nagamese, Bengali, Nepali, Bhutia (Sikkimese), Bhutia (Tibetan), Lepcha, Limboo,
Local dialects.

Source : North Eastern Council, Government of India
http://necouncil.gov.in/northeastindia/constitutional-provisions

73

Record some international events with the help of this textbook.
74