Daily News Mail - News of 09/07/2015

Afghanistan government – Taliban Peace Talks
Peace talk between Afghanistan and Taliban was held at Islamabad in which both leaders agreed to engage in future for Afghanistan’s peace. Meeting was also attended by American and Chinese diplomats as observers. Unity Government in Afghanistan led by Ashraf Ghani has been encouraged by US and China to engage with Taliban in face of calibrated withdrawal of US forces.

Just few days back Afghan’s parliament was attacked by Taliban in which intelligence alleged involvement of Pakistan’s ISI. Strangely, soon after this Intelligence units of both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding that calls for intelligence sharing and coordinated counterterrorism operations. It is widely known that Pakistan has been providing sanctuary to Taliban Fighters, including their leader Mullah Omar. Further, Deadly terror group Haqqani Network is from long time carrying terror activities, drugs and arms trade in Afghanistan. It is hardly a secret that both Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network are close to highest echelons of power in Pakistan.

Further, Pakistan and Afghanistan almost never in past had a cozy relationship. Afghanistan doesn’t recognize the border i.e. Durand Line right from 1893 when it was demarcated by British. Federally Administered Tribal Area or FATA, which Afghanistan claims, lies on Pakistan side of Durand line and is inhabited principally by Pashtun Tribals. This is the area in which most of the anti- Afghanistan or Pro-Taliban or even Anti Pakistan terror groups operate.

Pakistan’s establishment has done hardly anything to win the confidence and trust of Afghans. Afghans are much aware that Pakistan doesn’t want them to be a democracy or even pursue an independent foreign policy. India enjoys immense goodwill among Afghans. Some surveys indicate that Indians (or India) are trusted by Afghans more than any other nationality. In this scenario, a democratic government will obviously be Pro- India as was the case with Hamid Karzai. This doesn’t fit well with their policy of ‘Strategic Depth’ under which Pakistan must have Afghanistan on its side in case of aggression from India. Otherwise Pakistan can face war on two fronts when its resources don’t permit war even at single front.

However, present establishment is Afghanistan under Ashraf Ghani seem to be bowing before Pakistan and Taliban. Ashraf Ghani believes that peace in Afghanistan is only possible with cooperation with these both parties, which is true to much extent. Other case might be the political insecurity of Ashraf Ghani. Last elections in Afghanistan were anything but fair. That the compromise was arrived between him and Abdullah Abdullah is another thing, but he must know well that he doesn’t have pure legal democratic mandate to rule Afghanistan. So he might be counting on these powers for his political survival.

It is believed that Taliban is no more a homogeneous group, at least ideologically. One faction is willing to enter into peace process, while other led by Mullah Omar wants to stick to Jihad and some of its commanders are looking upto Islamic State to further their personal ambitions. Few of them have already defected to IS and some others may follow. With all this it is highly likely that IS with gain footprint in Afghanistan. On other hand, peace process with a mere faction of Taliban will not take negotiators anywhere.

US have burnt its fingers badly in Afghanistan and is now seeking a face saving exit, while preserving its long term interests. Other regional countries mainly China and Pakistan are trying best to turn tide in their favor. China believes that its Uyghur insurgency in Xinjiang can only be curtailed through cooperation of Taliban and Pakistan. This attitude is deplorable as this provides incentives for ambitious powers to use terrorism as tool for diplomacy. Further, economic interest of China is also there as they have invested in Iron ore and oil sector.


India and Afghanistan entered into a ‘Strategic Partnership Agreement’ future of which is doubtful in current scenario. India has so far invested about $ 2 billion in Afghanistan, much of which went in social sector. India is perhaps only country to invest so much in social sector without any quid pro quo. India should actively pursue its strategic interest and continue to expand its foothold in the country. Political relationships are temporary and India has bigger relation with people of Afghanistan which doesn’t change with change of rule.

Centre wants to break forex reserves
The central government is examining if India’s foreign exchange reserves held by the Reserve Bank can be deployed for funding infrastructure projects or recapitalising public sector banks.

• According to rough estimates of the Finance Ministry, bad loans-ridden banks would require capital infusion of about Rs. 40,000 crore over two years.
• India’s forex reserves is doing pretty well. Recently, it touched a record $355.46 billion.

However, as of now, the proposal does not enjoy unanimous support within the government. The government doesn’t own the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

But, can the government deploy these reserves?

• According to a former RBI Governor, the government could deploy the reserves held by the central bank for recapitalisation of banks. The government could also draw from the RBI’s balance sheet for this objective.

However, the procedure might not be easy for the government to do so as the Board of the Reserve Bank had to approve it. Even the RBI would be unwilling to deploy reserves for scuh risky purposes by compromising BoP.

Forex reserves – Quick look:
Foreign exchange reserves are an important component of the balance of payments and an essential element in the analysis of an economy’s external position.

• The components of India’s foreign exchange reserves are foreign currency assets (FCA), gold, SDRs and reserve tranche position (RTP) in the IMF.
• Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) is the biggest component of the forex reserves.

India to contribute $18 billion to BRICS’ $100-billion foreign exchange reserves pool
India is all set to contribute $18 billion to the $100 billion foreign-exchange reserves pool that is being set up by five nations of the BRICS grouping.

Why?

• To help each other “in case of any problems with dollar liquidity”.

Agreement:

• The Agreement on setting BRICS Pool of Conventional Currency Reserves was signed on July 15, 2014 at the summit in Fortaleza (Brazil). The agreement was signed in Moscow after a meeting of the Finance Ministers and heads of the central banks of the BRICS countries.
• The operational agreement regarding this was signed by the central banks of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa on July 7, 2015 in Moscow. The Operational Agreement details the working procedures of the Pool to be observed by BRICS central banks, and defines their rights and obligations.
• The Agreement outlines the terms of mutual support for member states in the framework of the Agreement on BRICS Pool of Conventional Currency Reserves.

About the Pool:

• The pool is being set up according to an agreement signed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• It will be a $100 billion pool, with maximum $41 billion coming from China.
• India’s contribution of $18 billion to the Pool will be same as that of Brazil and Russia. South Africa would chip in $5 billion.
• The fund will be an “insurance instrument” that members nations could draw on if they experience problems with their balance of payments.
• The Pool will go into force on July 30.
• The Pool is tasked to ensure mutual provision of US dollars by the central banks of BRICS members in case of any problems with dollar liquidity.
• The Pool would help BRICS members to maintain financial stability in case of volatility in dollar exchange rate.
• The BRICS nations account for nearly $16 trillion in GDP and 40 per cent of the world’s population.

Racist slur can land you in jail for 5 years

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs recently told the Delhi High Court that it has decided to amend the Indian Penal Code to make “racial discrimination” a non-bailable criminal offence.

• Accordingly, any derogatory reference meant to discriminate against the race of a person from the Northeast or any other part of the country will become a non-bailable offence with punishment of up to five years in jail.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs is in the process of finalising a comprehensive Bill for insertion of new Sections 153C and 509A in the Indian Penal Code, which will be introduced in Parliament after inter-Ministerial consultation.

What the Law says?

• Under the amended law, any word, sign or gesture insulting the race of a person will be punishable with a three-year prison term.
• Any word, gesture, written statement or activity aimed at discriminating against the race of a person or promoting violence against a particular race will invite a prison term of five years.

Background:

• Concerned over the spate of attacks on people from the Northeast in Delhi, the High Court had earlier asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to change the existing SC/ST Act or make other stronger prosecuting laws to protect the victims.
• The Central government had set up the M.K. Bezbaruah committee which recommended a series of punitive actions to prevent such attacks. The ministry has accepted most of the recommendations made by the committee.

Modi, Putin discuss India’s accession to Shanghai block

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin recently resolved to take strategic bilateral ties forward and discussed India’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

• Modi is in Russia primarily for BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summits.
• India is currently an observer in the multilateral grouping.

About the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):

It is a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation which was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries, except for Uzbekistan, had been members of the Shanghai Five, founded in 1996; after the inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001, the members renamed the organisation.

• The SCO is seen as a counter to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
• Its six full members account for 60% of the land mass of Eurasia and its population is a quarter of the world’s. With observer states included, its affiliates account for about half of the world’s population.
• The SCO has established relations with the United Nations, where it is an observer in the General Assembly, the European Union, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
• It also has Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan as observers, and Belarus, Sri Lanka and Turkey as dialogue partners.

Entire Nagaland declared as ‘disturbed area’

The Centre has declared entire Nagaland as a “disturbed area”.

Why?

The centre says that it finds that a “dangerous condition” prevails in Nagaland and armed forces should assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order.

Details:

• The centre declared Nagaland as a disturbed area in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 for a period of one year with effect from June 30, 2015.
• The decision came almost a month after NSCN-K, the dominant Naga rebel group, attacked an army convoy in Manipur’s Chandel district and killed 18 soldiers.

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act:

It is an Act empowering armed forces to deal effectively in ‘Disturbed Areas’. Any area which is declared ‘Disturbed’ under the disturbed areas act enables armed forces to resort to the provisions of AFSPA.

Who declares an area as disturbed?

• The choice of declaring any area as ‘disturbed’ vests both with state and central government.

Special powers provided to armed forces:

• After an area comes under the ambit of AFSPA, any commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or another person of equivalent rank can use force for a variety of reasons while still being immune to the prosecution.

Ambit:

• The act was passed on 11 September 1958 by the parliament of India to provide special legal security to the armed forces carrying out operations in the troubled areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura (seven sisters).
• In 1990 the act was extended to the state of Jammu and Kashmir to confront the rising insurgency in the area.
• In Manipur, despite opposition from the Central government, state government withdrew the Act in some parts in Aug, 2004.

The government can declare AFSPA in the following conditions:

• When the local administration fails to deal with local issues and the police proves inefficient to cope with them.
• When the scale of unrest or instability in the state is too large for the police to handle.

In an area declared, “disturbed” an army officer is legally free to carry out following operations:

• Fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death, against any person who is acting in contravention of any law” against “assembly of five or more persons” or possession of deadly weapons.
• Destroy any shelter (private or govt.) from which armed attacks are made or likely to be made or attempted to be made.
• Arrest any person without warrant who has committed a cognizable offence or against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he has committed or is about to commit a cognizable offence.
• Enter and search, without warrant, any premises for purpose of arrest or to recover any person, arms, explosives.
• Search and seize any vehicle suspected to be carrying an offender or any person against whom any reasonable suspicion exists that he has or is about to commit an offence.
• Provide legal immunity to the army personnel found involved in any violation or ethical breach i.e., they cannot be sued or prosecuted.

The decision of the government to declare a particular area ‘disturbed’ cannot be challenged in a court of law. In 2005 the Jeevan Reddy Commission said that AFSPA should be repealed and the clauses that are required should be included in other Acts.

NGT order may affect 80 projects in Tamil Nadu

The National Green Tribunal has set aside an office memorandum by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) that allows post-facto clearance for projects. With this nearly 80 construction projects in Tamil Nadu are likely to come to a standstill.

• The projects require prior environmental clearance as per the Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006. Most of the projects had commenced construction and then sought environmental clearance, while a few had applied for clearance, but started construction before sanction was given.
• The Tribunal has come down on seven of the project proponents who impleaded in the case.

About the National Green Tribunal (NGT)

The National Green Tribunal has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.

• The tribunal also deals with matters relating to the enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property.
• The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
• The Tribunal’s dedicated jurisdiction in environmental matters shall provide speedy environmental justice and help reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts.
• The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.

Members:

• The sanctioned strength of the tribunal is currently 10 expert members and 10 judicial members although the act allows for up to 20 of each.
• The Chairman of the tribunal who is the administrative head of the tribunal also serves as a judicial member.
• Every bench of the tribunal must consist of at least one expert member and one judicial member. The Chairman of the tribunal is required to be a serving or retired Chief Justice of a High Court or a judge of the Supreme Court of India.
• Members are chosen by a selection committee (headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India) that reviews their applications and conducts interviews.
• The Judicial members are chosen from applicants who are serving or retired judges of High Courts. Expert members are chosen from applicants who are either serving or retired bureaucrats not below the rank of an Additional Secretary to the Government of India (not below the rank of Principal Secretary if serving under a state government) with a minimum administrative experience of five years in dealing with environmental matters. Or, the expert members must have a doctorate in a related field.

NJAC: SC seeks details of States’ ratification

The Supreme Court has sought details from the Centre about the ratification process of the 99th Constitution Amendment incorporating the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) law by State Assemblies.

• The Centre had earlier told the court that as many as 20 states have approved the Constitutional amendment to replace the Collegium system with the NJAC.

NJAC:

NJAC is a body responsible for the appointment and transfer of judges to the higher judiciary in India. It seeks to replace the collegium system of appointing the judges of Supreme Court and 24 High Courts with judicial appointments commission wherein the executive will have a say in appointing the judges.

Details:

• A new article, Article 124A, (which provides for the composition of the NJAC) will be inserted into the Constitution.
• The NJAC Act also seeks changes in articles 124,217,222 and 231.

The commission will consist of the following members:

• Chief Justice of India (Chairperson, ex officio)
• Two other senior judges of the Supreme Court next to the Chief Justice of India – ex officio
• The Union Minister of Law and Justice, ex-officio
• Two eminent persons (to be nominated by a committee consisting of the Chief Justice of India, Prime Minister of India and the Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha or where there is no such Leader of Opposition, then, the Leader of single largest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha), provided that of the two eminent persons, one person would be from the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or OBC or minority communities or a woman. The eminent persons shall be nominated for a period of three years and shall not be eligible for re-nomination.

Functions of the Commission:

• Recommending persons for appointment as Chief Justice of India, Judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justices of High Courts and other Judges of High Courts.
• Recommending transfer of Chief Justices and other Judges of High Courts from one High Court to any other High Court.
• Ensuring that the persons recommended are of ability and integrity.

Under the present Collegium system, the Chief Justice of India would consult the four senior most judges of the Supreme Court for Supreme Court appointments and two senior-most judges for high court appointments.

Australian Gets Fatal ‘One-In-A-Million’ Brain Disease

An Australian has been diagnosed with the rare, degenerative brain condition sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).

About Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD):

• CJD is a rare, degenerative disease of the brain that is not linked to the consumption of meat and occurs in one in a million people per year in Australia.
• CJD is caused by an agent called a prion. Prions are misfolded proteins that replicate by converting their properly folded counterparts, in their host, to the same misfolded structure they possess.
• It has no treatment or cure and the disease is fatal within weeks or months after the onset of symptoms.
• CJD has been likened to mad cow disease.
• Most cases of CJD occur because of mutations with a person’s brain and are not spread from other people.
• The first symptom of CJD is rapidly progressive dementia, leading to memory loss, personality changes, and hallucinations. Other frequently occurring features include anxiety, depression, paranoia, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and psychosis. This is accompanied by physical problems such as speech impairment, jerky movements (myoclonus), balance and coordination dysfunction (ataxia), changes in gait, rigid posture, and seizures.
• As of now, no generally accepted treatment for CJD exists.

Invasive species of snail spotted on Goa varsity campus

The Giant African Land Snail (GALS) was spotted on the campus of Goa University at Taleigao, near Panaji, recently.

• It is listed as one of the world’s 100 most invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
• This species is one of the most damaging land snails in the world.

Why is it a cause for concern?

If these snails multiply, there will be a threat to agro-horticulture and public health since they act as a vector of human diseases like Eosinophilic meningitis, which is caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a parasite that nematode commonly resides in the pulmonary arteries of rats. The parasite is passed on to humans through eating raw or improperly cooked snails or freshwater prawns.

“India has mastered atomic, space and missile development, but continues to import basic defence equipment.” Critically comment.

India, that have sent mission into Mars, the only country in the world to launch successful mission into Mars in their first attempt and that too with a meager cost of only 450 crore. Agni-IV, a nuclear capable ballistic with a range of 4,000 km is ready for induction in Army is completely built by DRDO, India. Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor(PFBR) is ready to achieve criticality in Kalpakkam Nuclear Power Plant and then we will reach into the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme. With achieving these, don't know why we are still lagging in defence technology and equipments manufacturing. When it comes to defence equipments and technology, we are not able to manufacture assault rifles, bullet proof jackets and snow boots. We relies on Russia, Israel, France, U.K. and U.S.A for meeting our defence demands.

'Make in India' vs 'Made in India'

At Aero India, 2015 Prime Minister Narendr Modi has said that defence manufacturing was at the heart of 'Make in India'. But there is major difference between 'Make in India' and 'Made in India'. How much of strategic partnership we will develop with the foreign companies, they will not part with their core technologies. We have developed indigenously HAL Tejas, but more than 35% of its core parts like engine, avionics, display and etc. are imported. We are not self-reliant. We need to develop these core technologies with the effort of our brains, which are getting drained. More capital infusion in Research & development needed.

However some of efforts are taken like recently INS Vikrant ready to be inducted into Navy, built by Cochin Shipyards limited. Naval Design Bureau stride impressively in ship building design. We are the second highest importer of arms, next to Saudi Arabia. We need to focus on defence research and substitute imports with exports. This will not only enhance our capabilities but Balance of Payments also.

Write a note on the challenges being faced by the food processing industry in India. Also examine importance of FDI in this sector and measures taken by the government to boost the same.

Food processing industry is a nascent yet booming sector in India. It has experienced 8% growth in the last five years and is among the largest employment creator (6% in 2012). Despite its huge potential, this sector has stiff challenges like:

a) It requires huge initial capital, which Indian entrepreneurs lack or cannot get easily.

b) It is intimately linked with agriculture and for food producing to grow, certain fundamental reforms like APMC reforms, linking of mandis, extension services, crop insurance etc need to be urgently made in our agriculture and food procurement system.

c) Technological backwardness, lack of cold storages etc, non compliance or lack of knowledge of International food safety norms are impediments in the growth of the industry.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is essential in driving this sector as huge initial capital is required to build infrastructure facilities like warehouses, food grain handling systems, cold storages etc. Positive influx of FDI to the tune of 20 % investment is noticed in the last couple of years. The government has taken several initiatives to make the sector even more lucrative for foreign companies. It has announced tax benefits for setting up ware houses, abbatoirs, bee houses; removed excise duty on milk products etc.

The government has put concerted effort in this industry and made it a prime focus of Make in India and announced a centrally sponsored National Mission on Food Producing to be implemented through the states which targets 25 % growth in the sector by 2025 by providing incentives for creating infrastructure and doing research. Recent impetus on contract farming will also invite FDIs in this sector.

Name any three most dangerous invasive species and explain how these species affect native ecosystem.  Also suggest measures needed to address their threats. (200 Words)

Invasive species are plants or animals that do not belong to a particular place but has been brought by humans accidentally or intentionally.With the increase in global trade and communication these invasive species have expanded their horizons.

Some of the examples of most dangerous invasive species are the Giant African Land Snail,zebra mussels and Asian carp.These species affect the native ecosystem in the following ways:

1.The can cause irreversible extinction to the native species.eg mongoose have caused demise of many vertebrates in the tropical cane growing islands.

2.Causes livestock damages ,with disease risk.

3.They hurt the local food supply ,eg the quagga mussels sucked up most important nutrients of the Lake Michigan.

4.They may cuse public health problems.eg allergies.

5.It may cost harm to the economy as these species clog the canals ,boat engines,hurt the skiiers ,fishing industry etc.

Important measures to curb it includes:

1.There is a need for research and development on the conditions that result in the spread of these species so as to curb them.

2. The infrastuructural changes in terms of insulating the boats and canals from being clogged.

3.More Information needs to disseminated among the local people to be careful about these species and inform concerned authorities.

Do you think India should use its huge foreign exchange reserves to finance infrastructure projects or to recapitalise fund-starved banks? Critically discuss.

Foreign exchange is the precious component of country's fiscal health.with india attaining its all time high exchange reserve of $350 billion,there are suggestions to put it to use by investing in capitalisation of banks,and funding of infrastruture projects to ensure growth.

RBI rightly rejected the idea of using it at present for various reasons.There are many reasons to not risk foreign reserves.Among them are-

1) reining volatile conditions in global market and economies do not rovide suitable conditions.

2) india being import oriented economy with imports dominating exports by large margin.

3) fall of oil prices along with reduced prices of indian imports has led to increase in foreign reserves.

4) India not completely in sustainable growth path with slowdown of manufatcuring and services 

5) uncertainty in Infra projects and banks with High NPAs restrict space for risking forex reserves in them.

6) RBI could not use forex to shield the mismanagement of govt finances by political authorities.

India rather than investing and risking precious forex reserves should shore up its reserves to sustainable levels by aiming to doubling the current amount within specific period.

once india diversifies its exports along with that attains sutainable levels of forex reserves with improved levels of exports and reduction in imports or atleast zero imports,it would be prudent to use forex for developmental purposes as the present levels are not sustainable considering volatile situation of west asia and diminishing exports to western nations.

Critically comment on the recent black money law and examine the merits and demerits of the same.

Black money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 is the first major measures directed at tackling the menace of black money in India.

Its merits can be outlined as:

1. It is the first law directed at black money stashed abroad.

2. It provides for stringent punishment for defaulters.

3. It will generate much needed revenue for the country.

4. It includes a compliance window that will attract less penalty and as such, it encourages self-compliance..

Its demerits can be outlined as:

1. It does not talk of measures to bring back black money from abroad, unlike the US Foreign Account tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

2. It is nothing new in that the provisions were already there in the Income Tax Act. Only the punishment has been made more stringent.

3. It does not differentiate between assets stashed abroad and social security contributions of Indians in other countries, which they mandatorily paid while working there.

Nevertheless, the Act is welcome measure directed at cleaning the mess of black money in India, but it needs to be followed by other measures to bring back the black money home, by cooperation and collaboration with other countries.

How will India benefit from the membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation? Do you think SCO’s objectives are in consonance with India’s foreign policy aspirations? Examine.

SCO was formed in the year 2001 by group of 'STAN' countries along with Russia and china for the regional co-operation in military ,economy and culture to bring about overall socio-economic development int the central asia.The recent indications of India getting a full time membership is a very welcome sign for india and it reflects the need of India's role in bringing about the socio-economic development across central asia by other central Asian countries. .

SCO consist of nations which are highly rich in hydrocarbons and India being energy starved nation will highly benefit from the membership.The energy co-cooperation will increase and take to a new higher level apart from the co-operation arising out transitional bi lateral engagements.

India's foregin policy dealing with counter terrorism and insurgeny will get a fillip , as the SCO countries are also facing similar situation in the region.This will enhance strategic ties and intelligence exchanges thus promoting regional security.

India's bid for UNSC seat will get a boost since the vote of SCO countires will be important.With economic situation in the world in doldrums,SCO will provide india a new platform that will promote and enhance the regional trade thus giving boost to the economy.Participation in Trans- continent railway system will be benficial.

SCO will also prove another platform to settle the long standing boundary dispute with china and pakistan, and reducing the trust deficit and increase in overall activity of trade and people-to-people relationship.

Thue we can see that the SCO objectives are in overall concurrence with the India foreign policy in respect to military,economic and culture.And with India's entry it will only put India in right direction of socio-economic prosperity of India as well as in central asia and help in realising our PMs dream of achieving 'vasudeva kutumbakam'.