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BILATERAL RELATIONS

continuing adherence to its traditional The vote against the US on Dalveer Bhandari in spite of opposition
policy of nonalignment and playing a Jerusalem is not the first instance in from the US.
delicate balancing act in the diplomatic recent past of New Delhi’s such So, the Jerusalem vote sends New
minefield of the Middle East politics actions. In June last year, India had Delhi’s clear signals that it has the
marked by serious ethnic, religious and supported a move by Mauritius to credential to be counted as a global
territorial disputes. But it should also assert its sovereignty over Chagos player no matter what the US views on
be seen in the context of India’s Archipelago controlled by Britain in the international issues are. It helps pave the
ambitions as a leading global power Indian Ocean to the International Court way for India’s quest for a permanent
which believes in de-linking its ties with of Justice (ICJ), against the wishes of seat in the expanded UN Security
Israel from its position on Palestine. India the U.S. and again in November when Council as a permanent member and a
wants its ties with Israel and Palestine in India won a seat on the International return to the UN Human Rights Council.
two separate compartments. Court Justice for its candidate Justice (PTI Feature)

(Contd from page 37) historic trip cements the existing The two economies would be
bond between the two nations, what complementary, while Israel is not an
Pacts in the oil and gas sector for will really take India-Israel relations economic heavyweight like the US or
collaboration in the upstream beyond the well-established defence the EU and would cut India some
sectors, R&D in future technologies partnership is a free trade agreement. slack. A free trade pact should be the
and start-ups in oil and gas are Free trade would enable Indian next objective of India-Israel
welcome. While the reciprocal visit companies to better integrate with bonhomie.
to India by Netanyahu after Modi’s global value chains through Israel. (PTI Feature)

(Contd from page 38) appears that Jadhav was under insult than this,” said Swaraj as
considerable stress and speaking in an other members chorused “shame,
and they conversed through an atmosphere of coercion,” the MEA shame.”
intercom. Avanti was not allowed to statement said. “There are not enough words to
speak in their native Marathi language. “We also regret that contrary to condemn the same,” she said. Swaraj
Chetna’s footwear was confiscated. assurances, the overall atmosphere of said Pakistani authorities were now
Also, most of Jadhav’s remarks were the meeting was intimidating insofar talking of chip, camera or a recorder
clearly tutored and designed “to as family members were concerned,” being installed in the shoes. This is
perpetuate the false narrative” of his it said, adding “Family members, “absurdity beyond measure,” she said,
alleged spying in Pakistan, it said in a however, handled the situation with pointing out that the two women had
no-holds-barred statement against “great courage and fortitude”. The cleared security at airports in India,
Islamabad’s conduct. matter also echoed in Parliament with Dubai and Pakistan when nothing
Summing up its anger, India said the government condemning Pakistan suspicious was detected. After the
the manner in which Pakistan for presenting Jadhav’s wife and meeting, Pakistani authorities also did
conducted Jadhav’s meeting mother as widow In identical not return the shoes of Jadhav’s wife
yesterday with his family violated the statements in both houses of despite repeated requests. “This
letter and spirit of understandings that Parliament, External Affairs Minister meeting could have been a step
the two countries had. Countering Sushma Swaraj said there was towards moving forward. But, it is a
Pakistan’s contention that the meeting “serious and gross violation of human matter of great disappointment, that
was a humanitarian concession, India’s rights of the family members of the meeting took place flouting all the
statement said “this exercise lacked Jadhav”. “Both married women were understandings both countries had
any credibility.” “From the feedback we presented as widows in front of a son agreed to,” she said.
have received of the meeting, it and husband. There can be no greater (PTI Feature)

40 Competition Wizard March 2018