Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: International Relations
Shashi Tharoor, a senior Congress leader and MP, has alleged that 115 of the 315 invited speakers for the second Bharat Summit in Hyderabad were denied entry to India or had their visas cancelled, “apparently on the instructions of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.” Mr. Tharoor, currently in Hyderabad for the summit, questioned the legal basis for this action on social media, stating it was unclear under which provision of law the government took such a step, making it impossible to reverse the decision in time for the affected participants to attend. He expressed shame that a “proud democracy has become so insecure that it must stifle any voices it fears will be critical,” with his allegations following a Norwegian journalist, Helle Lyng, claiming the Indian Embassy advised her not to travel despite a valid visa for the summit, and earlier similar claims by Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy regarding nearly 30% of invitees. The controversy has raised questions over international delegate participation at the two-day summit, which aims to gather nearly 1,000 participants from India and about 70 countries, focusing on establishing a think tank, ‘Our World Institute’, and fostering dialogue between the Global South and Global North, against the backdrop of India’s 80th year of Independence and Jawaharlal Nehru’s 137th birth anniversary, while the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, responded to queries on visa rejections by stating, “Visa matters are sovereign functions of any country or any government.”
This issue is relevant for Banking, SSC, and RBI Grade B exams under International Relations as it highlights the complexities of diplomatic relations, visa policies, and their impact on international events and collaborations. Candidates should understand how governmental decisions regarding entry and visa cancellations can affect a nation’s image, its engagement with the global community, and its soft power, particularly when such actions are perceived to stifle free speech or academic exchange, as alleged by Mr. Tharoor. Furthermore, the political dimension, with the BJP terming it an “anti-India summit” and accusing the Congress of providing a platform for forces opposed to the country’s interests, underscores the interplay between domestic politics and international affairs, a critical aspect for comprehending India’s foreign policy stance and its implications for global partnerships and economic relations, which are often influenced by such political narratives.
Source: The Hindu
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