Context:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in two crucial diplomatic engagements in April 2025:
  • 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on April 4.
  • Official visit to Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6.
• These visits align with India’s Act East, MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), and Neighbourhood First

India at the BIMSTEC Summit:

• Significance of BIMSTEC for India
  • BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) aims to enhance regional cooperation in South and Southeast Asia.
  • Inclusion of Thailand and Myanmar is strategically vital for India's Northeast development and connectivity.
  • India is the largest financial contributor to the BIMSTEC Secretariat and hosts:
    • BIMSTEC Centre for Climate (Noida)
    • BIMSTEC Centre for Energy (Bengaluru)
    • Proposed Centres for Agriculture, Disaster Management, and Maritime Transport
• Key agendas of the Summit:
  • Adoption of the Vision 2030 document: Prepared by Thailand to build a Prosperous, Resilient, and Open (PRO) BIMSTEC by 2030.
  • Approval of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report: Reforms to revitalize and repurpose BIMSTEC.
  • Signing of maritime transport cooperation agreement: Expected to strengthen regional connectivity and trade.
  • Progress on BIMSTEC free trade agreement (FTA): Framework already signed, but negotiations need acceleration. India is likely to take a leadership role in pushing forward trade discussions.
• Bilateral engagements on the sidelines:
  • For example, PM Modi held talks with PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with both endeavouring to bring together India’s “Act East” and Thailand’s “Look West” policies.
  • PM Modi’s possible interaction with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is of particular interest.

PM Modi’s Visit to Sri Lanka:

• Political and strategic importance:
  • First visit after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) took office.
  • Follows up on AKD’s state visit to India in December 2024.
  • Sri Lanka is central to India’s maritime strategy in the Indian Ocean.
• Key agendas of the visit:
  • Energy cooperation:
    • Signing of Sampur Solar Power Project agreement in Trincomalee.
    • 120 MW joint venture between India’s NTPC and Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board.
    • Focus on electricity grid connectivity and a multi-product petroleum pipeline.
  • Tamil Nadu fishermen issue:
    • Long-standing concern over Indian fishermen straying into Sri Lankan waters.
    • India to seek assurances for humane treatment and explore deep-sea fishing alternatives.
  • Trincomalee oil tank farm talks: Plans for a joint venture to refine crude oil and store it for global trade.
  • Security cooperation:
    • India and Sri Lanka aim for regional security alignment.
    • AKD’s commitment that Sri Lanka will not allow its territory to be used against India’s security interests.

Conclusion:

• PM Modi’s visits to BIMSTEC and Sri Lanka underscore India’s commitment to regional cooperation, economic connectivity, and security engagement.
• Strengthening BIMSTEC frameworks, deepening economic ties, and addressing strategic concerns with Sri Lanka will be pivotal outcomes of these diplomatic engagements.

Q1. Discuss the strategic significance of BIMSTEC for India’s Act East and Neighbourhood First policies.

Ans. BIMSTEC serves as a vital platform for India to enhance regional connectivity, economic integration, and strategic influence in South and Southeast Asia.

Q2. What are the key objectives of the BIMSTEC Vision 2030 document?

Ans. The BIMSTEC Vision 2030 document aims to establish a Prosperous, Resilient, and Open (PRO) BIMSTEC by promoting peace, stability, and sustainable economic growth in the region.

Q3. Why is the Sampur Solar Power Project significant in India-Sri Lanka relations?

Ans. The Sampur Solar Power Project symbolizes India’s support for Sri Lanka’s green energy transition and strengthens bilateral energy cooperation.

Q4. How does India’s proposal to host additional BIMSTEC centres reflect its commitment to the organisation?

Ans. India’s offer to host new centres on agriculture, disaster management, and maritime transport highlights its proactive leadership in institutional strengthening of BIMSTEC.

Q5. Explain the importance of Sri Lanka in India’s maritime strategy.

Ans. Sri Lanka’s geostrategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it a critical partner for India’s maritime security and regional influence on its southern flank. 

Source:IE

Context

• While many India urban areas enjoy high-speed internet access, many rural and remote regions still lack fibre-optic connectivity and reliable cellular coverage.
• The recent partnerships between SpaceX’s Starlink and Indian telecom giants Airtel and Jio signal a transformative shift in India’s approach to digital expansion.
• This development not only has economic implications but also raises crucial questions about national sovereignty, technological dependence, and geopolitical alignment.

Economic Implications of the Starlink Partnership

• The partnership between Starlink and Indian telecom companies offers economic advantages to all stakeholders.
• Airtel and Jio gain the ability to provide high-speed internet to remote areas without incurring significant infrastructure costs.
• Starlink, on the other hand, secures access to a vast and lucrative market while simultaneously navigating India’s complex regulatory framework by aligning with domestic companies.
• However, the arrangement is not purely a business transaction, it is deeply intertwined with geopolitics.
• Communication infrastructure plays a crucial role in national security, and relying on a U.S.-based entity for satellite internet services raises concerns about control and sovereignty.

Geopolitical Implications and Strategic Considerations

• India’s decision to partner with Starlink rather than waiting for an indigenous solution or collaborating with alternative international players such as China suggests a geopolitical realignment.
• This move aligns India more closely with Western democratic alliances rather than authoritarian regimes, reflecting broader strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
• At the same time, monopolistic concerns surrounding Starlink cannot be ignored.
• With approximately 7,000 satellites in orbit, SpaceX enjoys a first-mover advantage in the low Earth orbit (LEO) internet market.
• Its closest competitor, OneWeb, operates significantly fewer satellites, while Amazon’s Project Kuiper remains in its early stages.
• Such a concentration of power raises concerns about competition, pricing control, and dependency on a single private company, which could wield nation-state levels of influence.
• The incident where SpaceX temporarily restricted Ukraine’s Starlink access during military operations in 2022 underscores these risks.

The Digital Sovereignty Framework

• Digital Sovereignty (High Economic Value, High Geopolitical Control)
  • Countries that develop their own satellite networks retain strategic independence while benefiting economically.
  • China’s GuoWang constellation aims to achieve this model by ensuring state-controlled infrastructure.
• Market Dominance (High Economic Value, Low Geopolitical Control): This describes Starlink’s current position, where it holds significant commercial power while host nations remain dependent on its services.
• Strategic Asset (Low Economic Value, High Geopolitical Control)
  • India’s indigenous satellite capacity currently falls into this category.
  • While it offers some level of strategic independence, the economic viability remains uncertain.
• Marginal Presence (Low Economic Value, Low Geopolitical Control): This applies to emerging players like Amazon’s Kuiper, which is still in the development phase with limited strategic influence.
• India’s long-term goal is to transition toward ‘Digital Sovereignty’ by developing its own satellite infrastructure through the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• However, achieving this requires substantial investment and time. 

The Role of Domestic Telecom Companies and BSNL’s Absence

• The involvement of Airtel and Jio in the Starlink partnership helps India retain some degree of sovereignty, as regulatory measures such as local data storage and technology transfer agreements could mitigate foreign control.
• However, the absence of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in these partnerships is notable.
• As a state-owned enterprise with a strong rural presence, BSNL could have played a key role in ensuring greater government oversight and strategic control.
• Financial constraints may have hindered BSNL’s participation, but its exclusion represents a missed opportunity.

Challenges and the Future of Satellite Internet Governance

• Affordability and Accessibility
  • If Starlink remains too expensive for rural consumers, government subsidies may be required, which could make the project unsustainable in the long run.
  • Tiered pricing models and affordable service packages may be necessary to ensure widespread adoption.
• Space Traffic Management
  • With an increasing number of satellites in orbit, concerns about space debris and congestion will grow.
  • Effective international governance mechanisms will be essential to prevent orbital clutter from jeopardizing future satellite operations.
• Global Internet Governance
  • The rise of private satellite networks necessitates discussions about international regulatory frameworks.
  • Without proper oversight, issues such as digital monopolies, national security risks, and restricted access to critical infrastructure could emerge.

Conclusion

• India’s partnership with Starlink marks a significant step in expanding internet connectivity, but it also highlights the complex interplay of economics, sovereignty, and geopolitics.
• While the deal offers immediate benefits in bridging the digital divide, long-term concerns about technological dependency and monopolistic control must be addressed.
• India’s ultimate goal should be to achieve digital sovereignty through sustained investment in indigenous satellite technology while maintaining a balanced approach to international collaborations.
• As satellite internet continues to evolve, the challenge for India, and the world, will be to harness this technological revolution without compromising autonomy or security.

Q1. Why did Airtel and Jio partner with Starlink?
Ans. Airtel and Jio partnered with Starlink to deliver high-speed internet to remote regions in India without the need to invest heavily in terrestrial infrastructure.

Q2. What is the main geopolitical concern with Starlink in India?
Ans. The main geopolitical concern is that Starlink, being a U.S.-based company, could give the United States undue influence over India's critical communications infrastructure.

Q3. What does "Digital Sovereignty" mean in this context?

Ans. In this context, "Digital Sovereignty" refers to a country's ability to independently control and manage its digital infrastructure, especially in the satellite internet sector, without relying on foreign companies.

Q4. Why is BSNL’s absence in the partnership significant?
Ans. BSNL’s absence is significant because, as a government-owned company with wide rural reach, its involvement could have enhanced national oversight and strategic control over the satellite internet rollout.

Q5. What is a key risk of Starlink’s dominance?
Ans. A key risk of Starlink’s dominance is the creation of a monopolistic market structure, which could reduce competition and leave countries dependent on a single private entity for essential connectivity services. 

Source:The Hindu

Context

• The political developments in Bangladesh, particularly the violence against Hindus following the deposition of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, have once again raised concerns about the plight of religious minorities in South Asia.
• When examined in the broader context of the conditions faced minorities Pakistan and Bangladesh, the status of religious minorities across the subcontinent appears to have reached its lowest point since the Partition of British India in 1947.
• This ongoing issue is deeply rooted in the historical divisions that shaped the region and continues to be influenced by political trends in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

 Partition and Its Enduring Impact

• Partition was expected to resolve the Hindu-Muslim question, but instead, it created long-term geopolitical and social complexities.
• The management of Partition, along with the political legacies it left behind, continues to fuel disputes and shape national identities.
• One of the most significant consequences has been the rise of hegemonic Hindutva nationalism in India, driven by the trauma and resentment of those who migrated during Partition.
• Similarly, the creation of Pakistan saw the emergence of socio-political categories like the Mohajirs, while Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 further complicated minority identities.
• Beyond Hindu-Muslim tensions, Partition also impacted other religious groups such as Sikhs and Christians, making the minority question crucial for the region’s stability.
• The fate of religious minorities in South Asia remains intertwined, requiring a more inclusive approach to ensure their protection and integration into their respective societies.

The Post-Partition Minority Question

• Following Partition, the large-scale displacement of people led to immediate concerns over the status of religious minorities in both India and Pakistan.
• Political leaders, including Syama Prasad Mookerjee and B.C. Roy, debated the possibility of a mass population exchange, similar to what was witnessed during Partition.
• Sardar Patel even proposed military action in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to secure land for Hindu refugees, highlighting the urgency of the issue at that time.
• The 1950 Nehru-Liaquat Ali Pact was a crucial diplomatic effort aimed at ensuring minority rights and preventing further conflict.
• However, while the pact was praised in some quarters, receiving a positive response from Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, it ultimately failed to safeguard the rights of Bengali Muslims in East Pakistan.
• The marginalisation of Bengali Muslims played a significant role in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, proving that the two-nation theory did not entirely address the region’s religious and ethnic complexities.
• Instead, it led to the formation of three distinct nations, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, each grappling with its own minority challenges.

India-Bangladesh Relations and the Hindu Minority Issue

• The Legacy of 1971 and Its Impact on Hindu Minorities
  • At the time of Bangladesh’s independence, Hindus made up a significant portion of its population.
  • Many had supported the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi liberation forces) and were seen as allies of India.
  • However, over the years, the Hindu population in Bangladesh has steadily declined, with reports of violence, forced conversions, and land seizures contributing to their migration to India.
  • The Vested Property Act, originally enacted by Pakistan and later continued in Bangladesh, allowed the state to seize properties belonging to Hindus who had fled, further exacerbating their marginalisation.
  • The violence against Hindus in Bangladesh often follows specific political patterns, intensifying around elections or in response to developments in India that impact Muslim sentiments.
• Recent Developments and Political Shifts
  • The deposition of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 has raised fresh concerns about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh.
  • Hasina’s government had, to some extent, maintained law and order regarding communal harmony, though not always effectively.
  • With her removal, there are fears that Islamist factions and hardline nationalist groups could gain more influence, leading to increased violence against minorities.
  • This uncertainty has made the Hindu issue a focal point in India-Bangladesh relations.
  • One key question is whether the violence against Hindus is politically motivated or indicative of a more systematic persecution.
  • Some analysts argue that attacks on Hindus are often politically orchestrated, used as a tool by opposition forces or extremist groups to destabilise the ruling government.
• India’s Strategic Dilemma
  • India has traditionally supported Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League due to their relatively secular stance and close cooperation with New Delhi on issues such as counter-terrorism and regional connectivity.
  • However, some critics argue that India has made a strategic mistake by focusing too much on Hasina’s leadership while neglecting broader engagement with Bangladeshi society and other democratic institutions.
  • By tying its relationship to a single political family, India risks losing influence if a new government with a different ideological stance comes to power.

The Way Forward: The Need for a Recalibrated Approach

• Given these complexities, India needs to recalibrate its approach toward Bangladesh, moving beyond its reliance on the Awami League and engaging more with Bangladeshi civil society, democratic institutions, and regional political groups.
• A broader engagement strategy would allow India to build stronger long-term relations with Bangladesh, irrespective of political changes.
• Moreover, India must adopt a more consistent and principled stance on minority rights across South Asia.
• If India only advocates for Hindus in Bangladesh while ignoring concerns about Muslims and other minorities in its own country, it risks fuelling religious polarisation and weakening its diplomatic credibility.

Conclusion

• The deteriorating status of religious minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh is a significant challenge that demands urgent attention.
• While historical grievances continue to shape contemporary politics, it is essential to move beyond past conflicts and work towards building more inclusive societies.
• The region needs innovative policies and renewed political will to protect minority rights and ensure a peaceful coexistence.
• Only through such efforts can South Asia hope to transcend the divisions of the past and forge a more harmonious future.

Q1. Why is the status of Hindus in Bangladesh a concern for India?
Ans. The status of Hindus in Bangladesh concerns India because they have been subjected to violence, discrimination, and forced migration, which also affects the broader stability of India-Bangladesh relations.

Q2. How has India traditionally approached its relationship with Bangladesh?
Ans. India has traditionally supported Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, viewing them as reliable partners due to their secular stance and cooperation on key regional issues.

Q3. What is one criticism of India’s strategy towards Bangladesh?
Ans. One criticism of India’s strategy is that it has focused too narrowly on Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, without building broader connections with Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and civil society.

Q4. What happened after Sheikh Hasina’s removal in 2024?
Ans. After Sheikh Hasina’s removal in 2024, there were growing fears that extremist groups might gain influence in Bangladesh, leading to an increase in attacks against the Hindu minority.

Q5: What should India do to improve its Bangladesh policy?
Ans. India should diversify its engagement by strengthening ties with Bangladesh’s democratic forces, advocate for the protection of all minorities, and support the development of institutional safeguards against communal violence. 

Source:The Hindu