02 April 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Setting sail with BIMSTEC

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Editorial Page – Page No. – 10)

Addressing the Earthquake Tragedy in Myanmar

• As Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to the BIMSTEC summit, India’s immediate diplomatic focus is on providing relief and rehabilitation to Myanmar, which was recently struck by a devastating earthquake.
• Thailand, another BIMSTEC member, has also been affected, making regional cooperation essential for disaster response.
• India’s proactive approach in offering aid underscores its commitment to fostering regional solidarity and support among BIMSTEC nations.

Revitalising BIMSTEC: A Long-Term Challenge

• While addressing the humanitarian crisis, PM Modi must also focus on revitalising BIMSTEC, which has struggled to gain momentum since its formation in 1997.
• Although BIMSTEC received its charter at the 2022 Colombo summit, its effectiveness in fostering economic and strategic cooperation remains limited.
• The upcoming summit in Bangkok is expected to introduce new initiatives, such as maritime connectivity, which could strengthen regional ties.
• With its institutional framework now firmly established, BIMSTEC has an opportunity to collaborate with other regional and global actors, enhancing its relevance in international diplomacy.

BIMSTEC vs. SAARC: A Comparative Perspective

• BIMSTEC is often viewed as an alternative to SAARC, particularly because India’s push for BIMSTEC coincided with SAARC’s decline after Pakistan’s obstruction of regional agreements in 2014.
• While SAARC has been stalled due to Pakistan’s reluctance to engage in regional cooperation with India, BIMSTEC offers a different dynamic, as it does not include Pakistan.
• However, BIMSTEC still faces structural challenges that hinder its progress.

Historical and Geopolitical Context of the Bay of Bengal

• The Bay of Bengal has historically been a vital region for trade and geopolitical influence.
• Under British rule, the region was integrated into a colonial framework that facilitated economic and military expansion.
• However, post-World War II shifts in global power dynamics, including Japan’s brief dominance and subsequent retreat, as well as the Cold War’s focus on the Pacific, led to the marginalisation of the Bay of Bengal in international affairs.
• Today, China’s growing maritime influence, India’s strategic expansion eastward, and US-China rivalry are once again making the region a focal point of global geopolitics.

Challenges to Bay of Bengal Regionalism

• Despite the lack of a single obstructive player like Pakistan in SAARC, BIMSTEC faces several internal challenges.
• Unlike ASEAN, where members set aside bilateral disputes for collective growth, BIMSTEC countries still struggle with trust deficits.
• Disputes such as those between Bangladesh and Myanmar, and tensions between India and Bangladesh, complicate regional cooperation.
• Myanmar’s internal instability further weakens its potential as a crucial land bridge between South and Southeast Asia.
• These challenges indicate that while BIMSTEC is making progress, expectations for rapid integration should be tempered.

India’s Strategy for Strengthening BIMSTEC

To enhance BIMSTEC’s effectiveness, India must take a multi-pronged approach:

1. Strengthening Regional Institutions – India should continue building BIMSTEC’s institutional framework and economic integration mechanisms to sustain regional trade amid global economic disruptions.
2. Expanding Bilateral Ties – PM Modi’s planned engagements with Thailand and Sri Lanka highlight the importance of strengthening bilateral relationships alongside multilateral efforts. India must also work to mend relations with Bangladesh amid recent political changes.
3. Leveraging Unilateral Initiatives – India should pursue independent initiatives to promote regional connectivity, similar to Thailand’s visa-free policy for Indian travelers, which has significantly boosted bilateral engagement. With India’s economic strength surpassing $4 trillion, it has the leverage to drive regional economic integration.
4. Enhancing Maritime Infrastructure – Developing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into a strategic economic and security hub, modernising seaports, and streamlining maritime regulations will position India as a leader in Bay of Bengal regionalism.

Conclusion:

• Unlike SAARC, which has remained stagnant, BIMSTEC holds promise for gradual but meaningful regional integration.
• However, achieving this requires India to lead proactive efforts in institution-building, bilateral diplomacy, unilateral initiatives, and maritime development.
• By doing so, India can transform the Bay of Bengal into a dynamic economic and strategic region, ensuring long-term regional stability and prosperity.

2. Countries of our own

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Ideas Page – Page No. – 11)

India’s Role in Global Migration

• The last 50 years have witnessed an unprecedented movement of people across the world, with India playing a central role in this global migration.
• The number of international migrants has tripled since 1970, with over 3.5 crore Indians living abroad—making India’s diaspora the largest in the world.
• India also receives the highest remittances globally, amounting to nearly $130 billion annually, far exceeding foreign investment inflows.
• These remittances have been crucial in managing India’s trade and current account deficits.
• While earlier dominated by Gulf-based workers, these remittances now largely come from advanced economies, reflecting changing migration patterns.

Migration and India’s Foreign Policy

• The increasing global mobility of Indians has prompted a shift in India’s foreign policy.
• The government now explicitly aims to facilitate employment opportunities abroad, recognizing the diaspora as an asset.
• The Minister of External Affairs has acknowledged that for India’s youth, the world is becoming their workplace.
• However, despite this recognition, the treatment of Indians abroad—especially in terms of their citizenship rights—remains a point of concern.

The Debate on Dual Citizenship

• The upcoming 25th anniversary of the High-Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora’s report brings renewed attention to the question of dual citizenship.
• In 2005, India introduced the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status, which was intended to strengthen ties with the diaspora. However, it falls short of true dual citizenship.
• The committee had recommended dual citizenship, noting that there were no constitutional barriers to it.
• It argued that security concerns could be managed without denying dual citizenship, a view supported by global trends in migration policies.
• However, the changing international landscape, including rising restrictions on non-citizens in developed nations, has made this issue more urgent.
• Many Indians feel compelled to renounce their Indian citizenship to secure their rights abroad, often doing so reluctantly.

Limitations of the OCI Status

• While OCI status was a step towards engaging the Indian diaspora, it has significant limitations.
• OCI holders do not have voting rights, cannot hold public office, and are restricted from owning agricultural land.
• More concerning is that OCI status is treated as a privilege rather than a right, and can be arbitrarily withdrawn for political reasons.
• Furthermore, OCI holders are increasingly being treated as foreign nationals in several professional and legal contexts, making them feel second-class in their connection to India.
• This has led to growing dissatisfaction, with many calling for genuine dual citizenship that provides a secure and broad set of rights rather than selective privileges.

Steps Towards Implementing Dual Citizenship

To effectively implement dual citizenship, several key changes are needed:

1. Retaining Citizenship Upon Acquiring a Foreign Passport – Currently, Indians must renounce their citizenship when acquiring foreign nationality. This presumption should be reversed, allowing Indians to retain their citizenship unless they explicitly choose to relinquish it. Many countries, including the US and UK, follow this approach.
2. Balancing Political Rights and National Security – While granting full political rights may be complex, solutions exist. Voting rights can be confined to those who return to India to vote, or a mechanism for remote voting can be introduced. Restrictions on high public offices for dual citizens can be maintained, but allowing participation in local governance would enable greater diaspora engagement.
3. Ensuring Fair Treatment of Dual Citizens – Dual citizens should enjoy all rights available to Indian citizens unless specific security concerns are justified with clear, transparent policies. Many countries distinguish between roles open to dual citizens and those restricted due to national security concerns. India can adopt similar practices.

Overcoming Security Concerns

• Concerns about national security often dominate discussions on dual citizenship, but they are largely misplaced.
• The historical fear of distinguishing Indian citizens from those of Pakistan no longer holds the same relevance.
• India could selectively allow dual citizenship with certain countries, particularly those with strong democratic institutions.
• Security risks can be managed by focusing on individual assessments rather than blanket exclusions, ensuring that only those with genuine risks are restricted.

The Emotional and Practical Need for Dual Citizenship

• Many Indians abroad hesitate to take up foreign citizenship despite its practical benefits, due to their emotional ties to India.
• However, forcing them to choose between their Indian identity and practical necessities abroad creates an unnecessary dilemma.
• True dual citizenship would strengthen their connection to India, making them feel more secure in their heritage while allowing them to fully integrate into their host countries.
• This will also have long-term benefits for India, as a more engaged diaspora can contribute knowledge, investment, and global influence.

Conclusion

• As migration continues to rise due to demographic and economic factors, India’s global presence will only expand.
• However, to fully harness the benefits of its vast diaspora, India must adopt a more inclusive approach by embracing true dual citizenship.
• This will not only provide practical benefits for Indians abroad but will also reflect the reality of evolving global identities.
• Allowing Indians to retain their citizenship while gaining new affiliations will strengthen India’s global influence and economic ties, making it a more dynamic and interconnected nation in the 21st century.

Check this out 01 April 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis