India’s Global Connectivity Initiatives: A Path to Development and Influence, South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC), Minority Institution Status

(General Studies II – International Relations section – Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. India and its Neighbourhood- Relations.)

• India has emerged as a key player in shaping global connectivity projects, leveraging its strategic location and economic growth to foster regional and transcontinental linkages.
• These projects not only promise significant economic benefits but also aim to bolster India’s geopolitical clout.
• However, the implementation of such ambitious initiatives is fraught with challenges, including geopolitical conflicts and infrastructural delays.

Key Initiatives by India –

1. India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC):

• Announced during the G20 Summit in 2023, IMEC aims to connect India with Europe via the Middle East.
• Key features include:
  • Reduction in transit time by 40% and costs by 30% compared to the Suez Canal route.
  • Integration of ports, clean energy exports, undersea fiber-optic cables, and enhanced telecommunication.
• It positions India as a critical player in connecting the eastern and western hemispheres.

2. Chabahar Port Development: India has invested in Iran’s Chabahar Port to establish a strategic foothold in the Middle East.

• The port serves as a gateway for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.

3. INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor): A multi-modal connectivity project linking India, Russia, and Iran via Central Asia.

• It aims to reduce the time and cost of cargo movement between India and Europe, serving as an alternative to traditional maritime routes.

4. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project: Connects India with Myanmar and Southeast Asia, improving trade with ASEAN countries.

• Enhances connectivity to India’s northeastern states.

5. BIMSTEC Transport Connectivity: Under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), India promotes road, rail, and maritime linkages among South and Southeast Asian nations.

Benefits of India’s Connectivity Projects –

1. Economic Growth: These initiatives enhance trade routes, boost exports, and attract foreign investments, contributing to India’s GDP growth. Example: The IMEC’s eastern corridor, supported by India-UAE trade, has already seen a 93% growth in bilateral trade between 2020-21 and 2023-24.
2. Geopolitical Influence: By leading these projects, India strengthens its role in global governance and regional stability. Example: The Chabahar Port counters China’s influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
3. Energy Security: Projects like IMEC integrate energy grids and clean energy exports, ensuring diversified and secure energy supplies for India.
4. Improved Regional Integration: Enhances India’s connectivity with South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe, fostering economic cooperation and cultural ties.
5. Global Supply Chain Integration: By improving logistics and transport infrastructure, India positions itself as an alternative in global supply chains, reducing reliance on China.

Challenges in Implementation –

1. Geopolitical Instability: Conflicts, such as the Israel-Palestine crisis, delay projects like IMEC by stalling cooperation between key stakeholders. Example: Saudi Arabia and Jordan’s involvement in IMEC has been limited due to tensions in West Asia.
2. Infrastructural Delays: Many projects face delays due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, funding shortages, and technical challenges. Example: The Kaladan project and Chabahar Port development have seen repeated delays.
3. Diverging Interests of Stakeholders: Aligning the priorities of diverse nations involved in these projects is complex, leading to slowed progress.
4. Lack of Institutional Frameworks: Projects like IMEC currently lack dedicated institutions for coordination, hindering effective implementation.
5. Logistical and Digital Gaps: India’s domestic logistics need significant upgrades, including port modernization and digital infrastructure, to align with global standards.
6. Funding Challenges: Massive investments are required to sustain these projects, which often depend on public-private partnerships and international support.

• Research by BMC Public Health sampled 300 gay and bisexual men across six cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Lucknow) and highlighted widespread violence against gay and bisexual men.
• It underscored significant gaps in legal protection for men and transgender individuals after the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
• The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita does not have provisions addressing rape of men or transgender persons.
• As per demographic trend violence was most common among individuals aged 18–24.
• Those who publicly open about their sexuality were five times more likely to face violence.
• Kolkata reported the highest overall violence (80%), followed by Delhi (72%) and Mumbai (58%)
• Current laws focus on grievous hurt but do not address the specifics of sexual violence against men.

Dig Deeper: Read about the Rights of Transgenders under Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) hosted the annual SATRC event organized by the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) in New Delhi.
• The event was attended by delegates from eight South Asian nations-Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, and India.
• The event focused on regional collaboration in telecommunications and ICT policies.
• India highlighted spam as a pressing issue requiring regional cooperation.
• TRAI clarified the non-political nature of the forum, focusing on sectoral issues for the region’s development.

Dig Deeper: Read about the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

• The Supreme Court has overturned its 1967 judgment in the Azeez Basha case, potentially restoring AMU’s claim to minority institution status.
• The Supreme Court held that institutions established before the Constitution are entitled to Article 30 protections if their purpose primarily benefits minorities.
• Minority status is not forfeited if the administration includes non-minority members or focuses on secular education.
• Legal formalities like central recognition do not negate an institution’s minority character.
• Article 30(1) guarantees religious and linguistic minorities the right to establish and manage educational institutions.
• Article 30(2) ensures equality in state-provided aid to educational institutions, irrespective of their minority status.
• Article 15(5) says minority institutions are exempt from providing reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and may reserve up to 50% of seats for students from their own community.

Dig Deeper: Read T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka (2002) judgement in the context of Minority Rights and State Regulation.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) began the preparation phase for the digital euro, aiming to offer a government-backed alternative to cashless options like credit cards, apps, and cryptocurrencies.
• It allows direct payments via a digital wallet without intermediaries like banks.
• Digital Euro enables online and offline transactions, offering anonymity similar to cash with appropriate design.
• It supports quick, cost-effective payments, including microtransactions.
• Unlike traditional digital payments (e.g., PayPal), the digital euro is a central bank-issued currency and serves as a digital version of legally valid cash, independent of financial service providers.
• It promotes Europe’s sovereignty by reducing dependence on foreign payment service providers.

Dig Deeper: Read about various initiatives across the world to compete with disruption brought by private cryptocurrencies in the monetary world.