Question Q.10GS2GS2

"ASEAN is the cornerstone of India's Act East Policy and its Indo-Pacific vision." Elucidate.

Main Body

ASEAN is a regional bloc in SE Asia formed in 1967 and Act East policy was launched in 2015 as a successor of Look East.

Act East policy:

a) Focus on strategic convergence between India

b) Leverage PARP ties old cultural diplomacy

c) Focus on North east as gateway to BIMSTEC connectivity (ref: BBIMLIT)

d) Connectivity focus (ref: BRIN-IMT)

e) Expand ASEAN & beyondJapan-South Korea

ASEAN as cornerstone:

1Central pillar of connectivity projects (ref: INT-related highway)

2Economic linkages in Act-East

a) People to people connections Strongest with ASEANcrucial for success of Act-East (ref: Buddhist connect)

b) India participates in various forums of ASEAN such as ARF, ADMM-EASstrengthen strategic pillar of Act-East

3Indo-pacific location of Act-East → escalated for nuclear vision of peace, open Indo-Pacific

4Defence diplomacy as central focus (ref: Brahmas export to Philippine)

5Vision of Net security provider → ASEAN catered for maritime partnership

6Resisting Chinese aggression in IP → mutual goal of ASEAN & India. Both need to solve their bilateral differences for holistic partnership

9FTA between India & ASEAN

10People to people connections strongest with ASEAN → crucial for success of Act-East (ref: Buddhist connect)

11India participates in various forums of ASEAN such as ARF, ADMM-EAS → strengthen strategic pillar of Act-East

12Indo-pacific location of Act-East → escalated for nuclear vision of peace, open Indo-Pacific

13Defence diplomacy as central focus (ref: Brahmas export to Philippine)

14Vision of Net security provider → ASEAN catered for maritime partnership

15Resisting Chinese aggression in IP → mutual goal of ASEAN & India. Both need to solve their bilateral differences for holistic partnership

Local self government was constitutionalized in India by 73rd & 74th CAA 1992, charting decentralization.

a) Addition of 11th & 12th schedule for functions declared major provisions

b) SFC, SECs formulating

c) 3-tier structure in PRI

d) DPC (A-243-ZD) for planning

e) Voluntary provisionsstates can devolve funds & powers

f) Reservation for SC/ST, Women

Admin challenges—

1Funds devolution weak & internal resource generation only 15%

2Vacancies → functionalities absent → affecting delivery capacity

3Lack of training in administration to PRI members → affected their functioning

4Decentralization of corruption as per Manusmriti Ayush (C)

5Functionality weak → 2nd ARC highlighted it

6Deficit on bureaucracy for power & implementation (noted by G&K Rao)

7Only poor (ref: only 43% connected with internet)

Measures

1Digitalize their functioning (ref: e-Gram Swaraj portal)

Measures

1Digitalize their functioning (ref: e-Gram Swaraj portal)

2Capacity building of members of PRI and municipalities (ref: Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan)

3Funds auctioning (ref: recommended by Sumit Bose)

4Functional devolution can make compulsory for effective devolution

5Timely elections & Strengthen SECs for funds allocation & recruitment complicity

6TSFC to be empowered for funds allocation & recruitment complicity

7ISPC to be strengthened for local planning (ref: declaration of SDGs in Madhya Pradesh)

8National body for governing & supervising JLGs

9Citizen charters & social audits for accountability & participation

10Vacancies of panchayat secretaries etc to be filled

LSG can ensure Gandhis dream of Gram Swaraj (A.40)

Article 124 governs the appointment of judges in the supreme court. It has been under constant debate.

Recent developments—

Yashwant Verma caseboth in house

Appointment delays in SC & HC by govt.

Controversies by retired judges as well as allegations of biases by current judges

Evolution of collegium:

1983 | 1993 | 1999 | 2014

1st judge | 2nd judge case | III-rd judge case | NJAC case (IV)

NJAC can make appointments—

a) Ensure clear criterias for appointment

b) Appointment based on merit rather than 'uncle indigo' syndrome

c) Tackle backdrop of criticism of collegium

d) Based on majority votesno discrimination

a) NJAC consisting of varied memberslawyer, SC/ST & judiciary invariably promot' in inclusivity

b) Broad set of parameters for appointments for holistic competency,

c) Publicised working & reasons ensure openers

a) ensure merit based appointment explains

Accountable

b) Balance judiciary & executive experience in appointment

c) Checks abuse of power by judiciaryno imperia in imperium (Ambedkar)

d) Checks & balancesNJAC a safe alternative to collegium

ISSUES—

a) Executive interference in judiciaryunderomine independence

b) Undue influencecompromise autonomy of judges

c) Can weaken judicial scrutiny review of govt at judges might be chosen with a bias

d) Separation of power doctrine challenged

e) Checks of balances might be harmed.

NJAC is a good initiative based on IOK model

789 words12 paragraphs

Conclusion

India in a multipolar world can ensure spirit of broader futurity LSG can ensure Gandhi's dream of Gram Swaraj (A.40) NJAC is a good initiative based on IOK model

29 words

Diagram

A simple map showing India's relationship and ASEAN Indo-Pacific location

Clear distinction between Act East Policy components
Multiple dimensions covered (strategic, economic, cultural)
References specific institutional frameworks (ARF, ADMM-EAS)
Addresses contemporary geopolitical challenges
Multiple dimensions of engagement covered
Specific institutional mechanisms referenced
Contemporary security concerns addressed
Clear constitutional framework provided
Specific challenges identified with statistics
Multiple dimensions of administrative challenges covered
References important reports and commissions
Comprehensive set of measures for administrative devolution
References specific schemes and initiatives
Addresses both institutional and human capacity building
Connects to Article 40 and Gandhi's vision
Clear reference to constitutional framework
Evolution of collegium system traced
Recent developments highlighted
Chronological presentation of cases
Balanced presentation of NJAC advantages and disadvantages
Multiple dimensions of appointment mechanism covered
References constitutional principles (separation of power)
Identifies key concerns about executive interference

Open original scan

Page 21

Topper

Astha Jain

AIR 92025

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

India and its Neighborhood - Relations

India-ASEAN Relations

ASEAN's role in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision

Writing Stats

818

Total words

Paragraphs

prescriptive and action-oriented

Tone