Brainstorming 2012: Foreign Relations

Thanks to Anil for his suggestions on important topics/countries in this regard. I have expanded on the list-please find below. And I look forward to suggestions by other readers.

-Spurthi

NEPAL

a. Transition to Democrary and Constitution-writing. Role of India.

b. Nepal's courting of China and concerns for India.

c. Changes in India-Nepal relations

BHUTAN

a. Changes in India-Bhutan relations [political and strategic level] 

b. Economic and Trade ties

c. Bhutan-China relations and concerns for India Read this

d. Bhutan's transition to democracy and India's role.

MYANMAR

a. Transition to Democracy- Role of India.

b. Economic ties and potential for development of North-Eastern states; also potential as link to ASEAN

c. Counter-insurgency cooperation

d. Myanmar-China relations and concerns for India Read this

e. Myanmar's strategic position in Bay of Bengal and connection to South-East Asia

f. Myanmar's ethnic problem (Rohingyas, Kachins) Read this

g. ASI restoring Ananda temple structure in Myanmar 

SRI LANKA
a. Reconciliation of Tamils-India's role

b. India's contribution to resettlement

c. India's foreign policy being influenced by regional interests (TN CM Jayalalaitha's demand for sending back SL soldiers, football team, pilgrims)

d. Cultural ties: Kapilavastu relics, thiruketheeswaram temple, big cultural meet in Jaffna(?)

e. Adam's Bridge- lost potential?

f. Sri Lanka- China relations. Concerns for India

PAKISTAN

Hindu refugees

Boosting Trade ties and people-to-people ties

Water disputes wrt Indus water treaty

Demilitarisation of Siachen

Growing intolerance and violence in Pakistan

AFGHANISTAN

Role of India- projects being undertaken

India's vision for Afghanistan

BANGLADESH

1971 war crimes trial

Tussle between Mohd. Yunus (Grameen Bank) and Sheikh Haseena's govt- US support to former

Rohingya refugee problem Read this

Bangladesh as transit route to North East India, and potential to revitalise economy of NE

Importance of Tripura for Bangladesh Liberation

Celebrations 40th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. 

Role of India in Bangladesh Liberation

Integrated Check posts Read this

Enclaves Read this

Water-sharing agreements

Counter-insurgency operations by Bangladesh and its help for India

CHINA

Indo-China trade ties Read this  [Trade deficit, Dumping, Safety of Indian businessmen]

Border Resolution talks
Border talks between China and Bhutan- wrt to Chumbi valley- and concerns for India

Danger of diverting riverwaters, esp Brahmaputra

Infrastructure assistance to Pakistan through PoK- Indian concerns

South China sea disputes [This topic was asked last yr, so may not be repeated. But for info Click here

Containment of China by US, Japan: participation of India in any such strategy

Resolution of Tibet issue. Opening up of Tibet to visits by Indian officials, journalists.

Threat to North-eastern states of India and India's preparedness. For some info Read this

Denial of visa to Arunachal Pradesh residents

China's space aspirations (Shenzou 9 and Tiangong)
Sino-Indian rivalry on Maldives. China's interest in developing Maldives' second airport. [India started a weekly ferry service from Kochi-Male]
Thanks to Ramesh for suggesting additional issues in Indo-Chinese relations.

IRAN

oil-payment difficulties

India's vote against Iran in UN

Iran hosting NAM summit

Iran supporting Assad regime; Irans Syrian interests

Western boycott of Iran and threat of closing Hormuz Strait

CENTRAL ASIA

potential as a resource hub for India

SCO
Northern Distribution Network

RUSSIA

Arctic Circle melting [Asked in 2011, so most probably wont repeat. But some info available here

Pussy Riot

JAPAN

Island disputes. Read this and this [Note: they are two different posts]

Japan + US + India for containment of China

India-Japan ties: start of civil nuclear engagement

Fukushima's continuing effects

TURKEY

emerging as a key player  in international relations (trying to end Iran's isolation on nuclear enrichment question; during Libyan civil war; now support to Syrian opposition)

SYRIA: 

civil conflict, 

failure of UN mission under Kofi Annan

role of  Western states in supporting regime-change

ISRAEL
Israel's belligerence towards Iran

Israel-Palestine talks

EUROPE

Eurozone crisis

Status of PIGS

Role of Germany in this crisis

UK- Ecuador face-off

AFRICA

Transition to democracy in Arab revolution states: India's stand on issue; rise of conservative elements in said countries

Sudan and South Sudan issues

Libya- problems cause by violent takeover without central organisation, thus now several armed militias operating in the country.

Meles Zenawi Read this

Indian investments in Africa

India and Africa relations Read this

African regional groups: COMESA and others

Indian diaspora in Africa

LATIN AMERICA

LAC and India Read this

CELAC Read this

More countries (identified by Anil) with which India has important bilateral ties are as follows
Thailand, Maldives*- Coup, Australia - australias-asylum-policy, pacific-island-countries,Chile, Ethiopia, Mexico- drug wars, Tajikistan, Brazil.

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (thanks to Anon) [Items in red have related posts on this blog]

IEA
ITU
CELAC
MGC
WTO-Doha Round
WSF
UNHRC
UNCLOS,ISA
Nuclear Security Summit-NSG,Australia Group, Wassenaar Arrangement,MTCR
IMF Reforms
Arab League
India-ASEAN Summit
APEC
IOR-ARC