Prime Minister Modi’s Iran Visit: Chabahar and Beyond
The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran, 22 May to 23 May 2016 has generated a good amount of enthusiasm in India. Simultaneously, it is also aimed at sending a clear signal to the international community that India is serious and means business about its intentions to play its legitimate role in the region while balancing out its friends across all spectrums of Islamic world.
Ostensibly the underlying aim of the visit is to boost Indian connectivity with the region by signing the India-Iran-Afghanistan Trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridors to facilitate trade with Afghanistan, Central Asia, Russia and Europe for utilizing Chabahar port as a hub, giving boost to Indian access to Afghanistan and creating the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Presence of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani during the signing of the agreement in Tehran signifies the importance Afghanistan attaches to the Development of Chabahar so as to end its isolation and total reliance on Pakistan for sea connectivity.
Series of events beginning with the conclusion of US-Iran Nuclear agreement in 2015 have provided a window of opportunity to re engage on economic issues and explore new avenues for cooperation for the three countries. India looking for an opportunity to establish its foothold moved at a considerable pace through high level bilateral visits involving three prominent Cabinet Ministers and sealing bilateral agreements for stake in Iranian gas field Farzad B, committing US $ 150 million for development of Phase I of Chabahar port and explore laying of rail network from Chabahar to Zahedan and onward connectivity to Zeranj-Delaram road. India also committed to clearing the Iranian dues for oil imports totalling US $ 6.5 billion.
The significance of visit has to be seen beyond connectivity to Afghanistan, setting up of International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and enhancing Indo-Iran bilateral relations.
There are a few immediate takeaways from establishing Indian footprints in the region; most significant being India getting a foothold into the Strait of Hormuz and onwards to Persian Gulf and check the expanding Chinese designs in the region which it is aiming to achieve through development of Gwadar port and setting up of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CEPC) besides expanding its economic relations with Iran. As per Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan it envisages Gwadar as a bridge between Central Asia, Middle East and South East Asia. However development of Chabahar with shorter and more reliable links to Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan will facilitate faster trade to South East Asia in comparison to Gwadar.
Iran has been waiting for an opportunity to play a significant role in the region and specially in Afghanistan, which is its immediate neighbour to the East and shares approximately 930 kilometres long border with considerable influence on Afghanistan’s Shia population. Earlier Iran could not play an active role in the region due to US direct influence on Afghanistan and imposition of sanctions for trade and transit. Iran was also kept out of all peace negotiations with Taliban, last one being the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QGC) Forum – comprised of USA, China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, although China with just 76 kilometres of border through Wakhan Corridor with Afghanistan and with hardly any leverage with Taliban was included at the behest of Pakistan.
Near failure of talks due to Pakistan’s unwillingness to apply pressure on Taliban and Haqqani network and bring about any apparent change in ground situation in Afghanistan forced President Ghani to show his frustration with Pakistan and look for suitable options for a peaceful solution to its problems. Similar opinion was also expressed by USA State Department which stated, “We have consistently expressed our concerns at the highest level of the government of Pakistan about their continued tolerance for Afghan Taliban groups such as the Haqqani Network operating from Pakistani soil.” US frustration with Pakistan has become more profound with its Congress voting to increase restrictions on Pakistan and blocking immediate US $ 450 million in aid unless it meets certain conditions.
Iran therefore is a suitable and willing player to take an active role in bringing about stability in Afghanistan keeping in view its expanding ambitions to play a hands-on role in geo politics of the region, post removal of sanctions. With USA having expressed frustration with Pakistan due to its promoting proxies in Taliban and Haqqani network, it is likely to encourage an engagement between Iran and Afghanistan to the advantage of India. Afghan President looking for relevance in his country is likely to encourage Iran’s participation so as to bring a semblance of peace in the region.
Beyond expanding its footprints in its immediate neighbourhood, Iran is also looking for economic renaissance having been isolated for close to a decade. Chabahar provides it an opportunity to expand southwards since the development of the port will ease its reliance on exporting oil through Strait of Hormuz which has seen continued tensions due to changing dynamics of intra religious conflicts and hostilities with its immediate neighbours in the Gulf.
India during Iran’s years of isolation continued to engage with it deftly through trade and diplomatic engagement. In fact, Iran has been India’s second largest supplier of oil and gas. India did not miss the opportunity to consolidate this relationship with Iran as soon as sanctions were lifted so as to secure its interests in Afghanistan and Central Asia. Alongside India has also maintained a very mature engagement with other countries of Islamic world notably Saudi Arabia and UAE. It would be in India’s continued interest to maintain the momentum with respect to development of Chabahar and secure its strategic interests.
Draft ‘Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2016
- It seeks to establish DISTRICT ANTI- TRAFFICKING COMMITTEE
- The appropriate Government shall, by notification, constitute for every district, a District Anti Trafficking Committee, for exercising the powers and performing such functions and duties in relation to prevention, rescue, protection, medical care, psychological assistance, skill development, need based rehabilitation of victims as may be prescribed.
- The District Anti Trafficking Committee shall consist of the following members, namely:- (i) the District Magistrate or District Collector- Chairperson; (ii) two social workers out of which one shall be a woman to be nominated by the District Judge – Member; (iii) one representative from the District Legal Services Authority nominated by the District Judge- Member; (iv) District Officer of the Social Justice or Women and Child Development Department of the concerned States/UTs- Member Secretary
- It Seeks to establish STATE ANTI-TRAFFICKING COMMITTEE
- State Anti–Trafficking Committee constituted for a State/UT, shall consist of the following members, namely:- (i) the Chief Secretary- Chairperson; (ii) Secretary to the Department of the State dealing with Women and Child-Member; (iii) Secretary of the State Home Department – Member; (iv) Secretary of the State Labour Department- Member; (v) Secretary from State Health Department- Member; (vi) Director General of Police of the concerned State- Member; (vii) Secretary of the State Legal Services Authority – Member;
(viii) two social workers out of which one shall be a woman and to be nominated by the Chief Justice of the High Court – Member.
- State Anti–Trafficking Committee constituted for a State/UT, shall consist of the following members, namely:- (i) the Chief Secretary- Chairperson; (ii) Secretary to the Department of the State dealing with Women and Child-Member; (iii) Secretary of the State Home Department – Member; (iv) Secretary of the State Labour Department- Member; (v) Secretary from State Health Department- Member; (vi) Director General of Police of the concerned State- Member; (vii) Secretary of the State Legal Services Authority – Member;
- It seeks to establish Central Anti- Trafficking Advisory Board
- The Central Government shall constitute a Central Anti–Trafficking Advisory Board headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development and representatives from the concerned Ministries, State/UTs and members from civil society organisations as may be prescribed
- It seeks to establish Special Agency,for investigation of offences under the provisions of the Act.
- Support Services:-
- Protection Homes:-Protection Homes shall provide for shelter, food, clothing, counselling and medical care that is necessary for the rescued victims and such other services in the manner, as may be prescribed.
- Special Homes:-One or more Special Homes in each district for the purpose of providing long- term institutional support for the rehabilitation of victims, in the manner as may be prescribed.
- Other facets of the bills:-
- Rehabilitation and social integration
- Employment opportunities and placement agencies
- Penal Provisions:-
- Punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 years or with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees, or with both.
- It also has provision of confiscation,forfeiture and attachment of property of the offender
- It also aims to provide Special Courts, anti-trafficking fund etc.
Facts:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Meghalaya tried his hand in beating Khasi traditional drum ‘Ka Bom.’
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[wptelegram-join-channel link=”https://t.me/s/upsctree” text=”Join @upsctree on Telegram”]2021 WEF Global Gender Gap report, which confirmed its 2016 finding of a decline in worldwide progress towards gender parity.
Over 2.8 billion women are legally restricted from having the same choice of jobs as men. As many as 104 countries still have laws preventing women from working in specific jobs, 59 countries have no laws on sexual harassment in the workplace, and it is astonishing that a handful of countries still allow husbands to legally stop their wives from working.
Globally, women’s participation in the labour force is estimated at 63% (as against 94% of men who participate), but India’s is at a dismal 25% or so currently. Most women are in informal and vulnerable employment—domestic help, agriculture, etc—and are always paid less than men.
Recent reports from Assam suggest that women workers in plantations are paid much less than men and never promoted to supervisory roles. The gender wage gap is about 24% globally, and women have lost far more jobs than men during lockdowns.
The problem of gender disparity is compounded by hurdles put up by governments, society and businesses: unequal access to social security schemes, banking services, education, digital services and so on, even as a glass ceiling has kept leadership roles out of women’s reach.
Yes, many governments and businesses had been working on parity before the pandemic struck. But the global gender gap, defined by differences reflected in the social, political, intellectual, cultural and economic attainments or attitudes of men and women, will not narrow in the near future without all major stakeholders working together on a clear agenda—that of economic growth by inclusion.
The WEF report estimates 135 years to close the gap at our current rate of progress based on four pillars: educational attainment, health, economic participation and political empowerment.
India has slipped from rank 112 to 140 in a single year, confirming how hard women were hit by the pandemic. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two Asian countries that fared worse.
Here are a few things we must do:
One, frame policies for equal-opportunity employment. Use technology and artificial intelligence to eliminate biases of gender, caste, etc, and select candidates at all levels on merit. Numerous surveys indicate that women in general have a better chance of landing jobs if their gender is not known to recruiters.
Two, foster a culture of gender sensitivity. Take a review of current policies and move from gender-neutral to gender-sensitive. Encourage and insist on diversity and inclusion at all levels, and promote more women internally to leadership roles. Demolish silos to let women grab potential opportunities in hitherto male-dominant roles. Work-from-home has taught us how efficiently women can manage flex-timings and productivity.
Three, deploy corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for the education and skilling of women and girls at the bottom of the pyramid. CSR allocations to toilet building, the PM-Cares fund and firms’ own trusts could be re-channelled for this.
Four, get more women into research and development (R&D) roles. A study of over 4,000 companies found that more women in R&D jobs resulted in radical innovation. It appears women score far higher than men in championing change. If you seek growth from affordable products and services for low-income groups, women often have the best ideas.
Five, break barriers to allow progress. Cultural and structural issues must be fixed. Unconscious biases and discrimination are rampant even in highly-esteemed organizations. Establish fair and transparent human resource policies.
Six, get involved in local communities to engage them. As Michael Porter said, it is not possible for businesses to sustain long-term shareholder value without ensuring the welfare of the communities they exist in. It is in the best interest of enterprises to engage with local communities to understand and work towards lowering cultural and other barriers in society. It will also help connect with potential customers, employees and special interest groups driving the gender-equity agenda and achieve better diversity.