Bilateral relations are a term used to describe the political, economic, and cultural relations between two sovereign independent states. It is an important component of International Relations. When a country is contracting with another, it makes sense to have agreements that are tailored to their individual requirements.
Diplomacy is a key building block of international relations. In today's world, it is essential that civil servants understand their role in the global polity. Moreover, it is important to keep up with the changing nature of the global order. This course will examine the impact of regional diplomacy and explore the roles of non-state actors. Students will also interact with classmates from around the world.
The course covers key concepts such as "political diplomacy", “Trade Diplomacy”, "cultural diplomacy", and "Soft Power". The course explains how these terms are important in the governing of a nation's affairs. These terms have different meanings, but they all play an important role in the global polity.
International Relations (IR) is one of the subjects in the UPSC IAS Mains examination. The main focus of the examination is on India's relations with its neighbours, which include France, China, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, the UPSC also asks about its relations with the G7 nations.
In recent years, India and Taiwan have been working to boost their economic ties. Although the bilateral trade has been successful, there are several areas that the two countries need to address. For instance, the growth of India's agricultural sector could be enhanced by Taiwan's agro-technology. Similarly, the food processing technology in Taiwan could help improve Indian farmers' living standards.
Several new developments have also contributed to the strengthening of India-Taiwan relations. They include the signing of a joint business summit in Taipei in 1995, the establishment of an India-Taipei Association in New Delhi, and the implementation of the Bilateral Investment Agreement in 2002.
While the growth of these relationships has been promising, the pace of development has been slow. This has resulted in a lack of tangible benefits. However, both sides are committed to working on future priorities. One of the key issues that are being discussed is a Free Trade Deal. Both India and Taiwan should work towards long-term successes and increase their economic cooperation.
Besides boosting trade and economic cooperation, the India-Taiwan relationship is also important in terms of security. For instance, the Strait of Hormuz is a strategic artery that supplies oil to India. If an extended crisis breaks out in the Middle East, this could threaten India's Natural Gas Market security. And it can affect the large Indian diaspora.
As a result, India needs to shift its emphasis from soft balancing to cultivating pragmatic ties with Taiwan. This can help it build up a stronger and more effective relationship with its eastern partner.
Moreover, it is crucial to understand the importance of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. While this convention has provided a foundation for diplomatic interaction, it must be adjusted to meet the demands of the modern day.
