Political Aspects

Answer : Our nation has been facing the grave problem of militancy or terrorism in the border states. The problem has acquired in view of the fact that they have arisen in the states facing international boundary i.e. this problem has been aided and abetted by some people, in some form or the other across the border.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir is particularly notorious for the problem of militancy which has acquired the ugly form of terrorism. This terrorism is alleged to have been abetted by the neighbouring country, Pakistan. The problem has escalated to dangerous levels, threatening the peace, security, and unity of not only Jammu and Kashmir but of the whole country. The situation becomes difficult to handle because of uneven terrain and severe cliamtic conditions of the region. The global network of militancy (terrorism) also escalates the threat.

There was a problem of militancy in Punjab but now it has been controlled. However the problem of militancy is almost conspicuously absent in the border state of Rajasthan despite having the border with Pakistan. The problem of militancy is also present in the border states of north-eastern region, albit of a different nature. Here the Nagas, the Bodos, the Manipuries etc. are the major interest groups demanding autonomy or independence. Their distinct cultural identity and isolation from mainaland, India coupled with lack of socio-economic development are the root causes of militancy in their states. However some sort of cross Border aid is being received from the neighbouring country of Myanmar. Indian government is holding peace talks with the separatist groups specially the Nagas. The process is expected to yield fruitful results. However the socio-economic development and cultural interaction with the mainland needs to be encouraged at the earliest to solve the problem of militancy in this region.

Answer : There is a statement these days which has become talk of the town, “The next world war would be fought for water.” This holds true both in domestic and international context.The Cauvery originates from Brahmagiri hills in Karnataka, flows eastward and falls in the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu. It has more than 800 kms of flow with its catchments area lying in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The dispute relating to sharing of Cauvery water dates back to the colonial period. The dispute resulted into many conflicts and strife between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. That led Union Government to set up Cauvery Water Tribunal for resolving the issue.

Causes: Over the years, the dispute has become increasingly complex both due to the stubborn stances of the parties involved, particularly those of the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and also due to petty politicking that has come to dog the dispute. The dispute at its root is a question of sharing of the waters of river Kaveri. Tamil Nadu has historically enjoyed a greater usage of the water compared to Karnataka. Karnataka on the other hand, sees it as a grave historic injustice that has been forced upon it. The genesis of this disparity itself, lies in two controversial agreements signed in 1892 and then in 1924 between the Madras Presidency and the Princely State of Mysore.

Karnataka claims that these agreements were skewed heavily in favour of the Madras Presidency. It claims that these agreements dealt its own interests a very heavy blow and therefore wants a renegotiated settlement based on equitable sharing of the waters.

Tamil Nadu on the other hand, pleads that it has already developed almost 3,000,000 acres (12,000 km²) of land and as a result has come to depend very heavily on the existing pattern of usage.

Any change in this pattern, it says, will adversely affect the livelihood of millions of farmers in the state.

Judgement: Decades of negotiations between the parties involved bore no fruit and the Government of India finally constituted a tribunal in 1990 to look into the matter. The tribunal after hearing arguments of all the parties involved for the last 16 years, delivered its final verdict on February 5, 2007. In its verdict, the Cauvery Water Disputestribunal allocated 419 billion ft³ (12 km³) of water annually to Tamil Nadu and 270 billion ft³ (7.6 km³) to Karnataka; 30 billion ft³ (0.8 km³) of Kaveri river water to Kerala and 7 billion ft³ (0.2 km³) to Puducherry. Now the Tribunal has come up with a solution with each party getting what it demanded. There were provisions for irrigation, scope for increase in net cropped area, share for ecology and some portion is left free to fall into sea.

Though we may expect that a long driven dispute has come to an end yet the issue requires a comprehensive water sharing formula that can resolve all the outstanding disputes once and for all.

Answer : Indiashares a common boundary of 4225 km with China. Difficult to demarcate on the ground because of rugged terrain, the boundary was delimited, though impricesely on the maps.

After India’s independence, a goodwill gesture developed between India and China and 1954 a general agreement containing the principle Panchsheel was announced. In the same succession, in 1954 itself, India gave up the extra territorial rights on Tibet, exercised by the British Raj, on the basis of recret Anglo-Tibetan Trade Agreement of July, 1914.

This friendly gesture of India resulted into far reaching consequences. The geo-strategic value of entire Himalayan frontier was drastically changed. The buffer qualities of Tibet became inoperative and a razor-thin boundary was established. The India had to face a powerful communist army across its boundary. The Chinese leaders took advantage of their superior military strength and communistic administrative machinery to degrade Indian prestige, teach it a lesson for its interferance in Tibet, retard the Indian economic progress and fulfill their imperealistic ambitions.

Since 1954, China started disputing and disregarding the Sino-Indian boundary which may conveniantly be divided into following three sectors:

1.The Western Sector: This boundary between J&K and Sinkiang and Tibet is about 1770 km long. This western sector is the product of treaties of 1665 and 1684 and were confirmed by the 1842 Dogra-Ladakh agreements among Kashmir, Tibet and China. But China refused to honour this treaty. Since 1954 the Chinese have repeatedly intruded deeper and deeper into the western sector. China now is in actual possession of about 54,000 sq km of the Indian territory.

2.The Middle Sector: This boundary ruins along the watershed from Ladakh to Nepal. It is almost a traditionally recognised boundary though China claims some parts of it.

3.The Eastern Sector: This 1140 km long boundary runs from the eastern limit of Bhutan to the trijunction of INdia, Tibet and Myanmar and is called the McMohan line.

The implications of Sino-Indian border dispute include the continued tension and disregard of boundary by China. The most important implication is the massive Chinese attack on India in 1962. This war greatly degraded the prestige of India as China occupied a large portion of Arunachal Pradesh. The 1962 war taught us many lessons. The myth of Himalaya as an effective defence barrier was exploded. INdia also realised that the posture of non-alignment was no substitute for defence preparedness.

Answer : Indian Ocean is the only ocean which is named after a country, i.e. India, which itself shows the dominant influence. India has been exerting in this region since antiquity. The important role of India in the geopolitics of Indian Ocean can be analysed under the following counts:

1. India is the largest country in the Indian Ocean region in terms of population and second after Australia in sheer size. More than 50% of the total population of this region is found in India.
2. The location of India as projecting into the middle of Indian Ocean has made India a natural entity to reckon with.
3. Indian coastline comprises 12.5% of the total coastline of the Indian Ocean. About 1100 islands of India are situated in the Indian Ocean whose security is closely linked with the peace in the Indian Ocean region.
4. India commands a strong naval and air force in this region. The country gives significant contribution, directly or indirectly, in the security of many of the island nations as Sri Lanka, Maldives, etc.
5. India gets 65% of its mineral oil from the Indian Ocean.
6. 98% of India’s foreign trade is carried through the Indian Ocean route. It has to guard against any threat to its ships and against illegal activity.
7. Sea bed of Indian Ocean contains vast deposits of polymetallic modules containing minerals of strategic importance.
8. India has legitimate concerns here for the economic exploitation of its 2.02 million sq km area of EEZ.
9. According to a estimate, only 10% of the fish resources of the Ocean is utilised, leaving ample scope for their scientific management and exploitation.
10. Location of most part of Indian Ocean in the tropical zone provides vast scope for the development of sea-based non-conventional sources of energy. India must be eying to tap this clean energy.
11. Unfortunately some of the countries of the Indian Ocean region have become favourite breeding ground of the menace of terrorism. After the 11th September attack on U.S., India’s role in the geopolitics of the Indians Ocean has assumed much greater significance as India is a major anti-terror campaigner in this region.
12. Most importantly the role of India in the geopolitics of Indian Ocean has been increasing because of growing economic clout of India. India is the world’s fifth largest economy and has one of the fastest growing economices of the world. She has become a power in the field of Information Technology to reckon with.

Answer : Cauvery is the most important river of southern Indian tip. It can be rightly called ‘the lifeline of the region’ for its importance and contribution in producing hydel power and running irrigational projects. Its basins ties partly in the Brahmgiri area of Karnataka and the middle and lower cause runs through Tamil Nadu hills and plains.

Since, there is no ice melt in this region, the rivers are seasonal, thus river water holds key importance. Over the years, the two states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been fighting over the river water share. Recently, the state of Karnataka hold the water and did not release even at the order of the apex court.

Many panels and meetings between the states has failed to bring about a solution. The Cauvery water award is one such hight of hope, which could reduce the confrontation between these two states.

The award has reduced the coveted water supply of 1.3 billion cubic m to .80 billion cubic m.

It also seeks to find an aimicable solution between the two conflicting states. The water dispute will be solved on the basis of drainage basin area. On harsh and dry condition, the water for drinking purpose has to be supplied.

Answer : The total length of India’s land boundary is 15, 2000 km which passes through the low lands and plains, marshy tract, desertic lands and mountainous regions. From geopolitical point fo view, India holds an important position in the world. This is indicated by the fact that India is placed in thestrategically important region of inner crescent in the Mackinder’s Heart land Theory.The boundary between Mackinder’s pivot region and inner crescent region passes near the boundary of the states of Jammu & Kashmir of India which indicates its geo-politcal importance. According to spykesman, the most important strategic region is the inner crescent or rimland region in which India has also been placed.

India’s land boundary touches with the countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Of these the boundaries with China and Pakistan assumes greater geopolitical significance in view of their volatile nature, military and nucleaer capabilities of the countries concerned and emergence of dangerous form of terrorism in the adjoinning regions which is possing a major threat to global peace and security today. These boundaries especially those of India’s Jammu & Kashmir become more important geo–politically because of two factors :

(i) The boundary of Jammu & Kashmir with Pakistan, Afaghnistan and China runs close to the boundaries of central Asian Rupublics, i.e. former U.S.S.R.

(ii) These boundaries pass through the difficult mountainous terrain and a country by taking control of there territories can strengthen her strategic position. The dispute and frequent skirmishes between India and Pakistan for capturing the Siachen Glacier indicatethis point.

There has been many conflicts between Mackinder’s heartland region and rimland regionin the part. After the second world war, the world was divided into two blocks–one block of West European–Capitalistic countries was led by former U.S.S.R. Thereafter began the protracted cold war period in the two–polar world and both the poles (U.S. & U.S.S.R.) tried to bring India in their camps,since India was an important representative of developing world and its geographical location near China and U.S.S.R. and between North & East Asia and South-East Asia imparted its great strategic importance.

Presently, though there has been disintegration of U.S.S.R and its economic might has been eroded, still this block (C.I.S.) holds important position in the world geopolitics. On the other hand, China has emerged as a strong economic and military power in the recent years. Both these countries unitedly can affer resistance to American hegemony in this unipolar world. For these reasons India’s land boundary becames important geopolitically, since it either meets or is very close to the boundaries of these countries.

India shares a common border of 4,225 km with China separating China from the Indian states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal and Arunchal Pradesh. Difficult to demarcate on the ground because of rugged terrain, the boundary was delimited though imprecisely on the maps between India (British) and Tibet (Independent). With the Sino–India Treaty on Tibetan Trade and Pilgrimage of April, 1954,India gave up the extra-territorial rights on Tibet, exercised by the British Raj on the basis of the Sectret Anglo-Tibet Trade Agreement of July, 1914. India formally reconized the Chinese soverignty over Tibet and thus the buffer qualifies of Tibet became inoperative and a razor–thin boundary was established. India hadto face a powerful army and an aggressive communist regime across its border rather than a wide frontier zone. Thus, the geo–strategic value fo entire Himalayan frontier was changed. The Chincese invasion of 1962 took place and a portion of Indian territory was acquired by China. The claims and counter claims by both China and India has made the entire boundary (Indo–China) zone complex and geopolitically volatile, considering the military strength of both the countries now. This boundary dispute in apparently and directly linked with theplace and stability in the region. Relaizing the geopolitical importance of this boundary, both the countries are trying to resolve the dispute amicably through peaceful dialogue.

The Indo–Pakistan boundary represents the political division of a single gregraphical,ecological and a broad cultural region with all the resultant incongruities,anomolies and irrationalities. Theviolent and rivalarous background under which partition was effected have had its mainfestation in the conflicts and boundary disputes with which both the countries have been associated since then.

Kashmir problem is the most serious and complex problem between India and Pakistan, which is a major stumbling block in normalizing the relation between the two countries. The problem has led to three bloody wars between India and Pakistan besides frequent skirmishes. These conflicts itself point out the geopolitical importance of this boundary zone.

Both India and Pakistan are now armed with nuclear weapons and any escalation in the tension between the two countries carries with itself the inherent danger of a nuclear conflict. This has drawn global attention in this boundary zone and there is pressure from the international community to maintain peace along these borders.

Deployment of Indian trops along these borders in a combatant position after the 13thDecember attack in 2001 and the consequent pressure from the U.S. and its western allies on both India and Pakistan to de-escalate the situation clearly illustrate this point.

The boundary along the Jammu &Kashmir has become more important than even in the aftermath of 11th September attack. Terrorist organisation are known to exist in Pakistan and Afghanistan and Afghanistan had become the breeding ground of Al-Quida, a global terror network threatening world peace and security. The area of operation of these terrorist activities is close to the international boundary of Jammu & Kahsmir. Moreover, India has also been accusing Pakistan for supporting cross border terorism

There has been minor boundary disputes of India with the Bangladesh. Nevertheless this boundary is important in view of the recent reports that Bangladesh may become the shelter of fleeing terrorists of Afthanistan and Pakistan after U.S. and Pakistan has tightened the noose on these terrorists outfits. Besides this boundary cut off the North-Eastern states from the rest of India. Hence, peace and stability is essential along this border from Indian point of view.

The geopolitical importance of Indo-Bhutan border lis in the fact that Bhutan acts as a buffer state between India and China. In addition, some insurgent groups of North-Eastern states take shelter in the dense forests of Bhutan. The land boundary between India and Nepal is relatively calm, except the recent surges in Maoist violence.

The boundary between India and Myanmar has its own geopolitical importance. First, this boundary incloses the Noth-Eastern states where insurgency is a major problem. There is growing danger that the insurgent groups might get support and shelter across the border.Second, this boundary is notorious for the smuggling of arms and narcotics. Third, Myanmar is suspicious about pro–democratic supporters crossing over this bouundary and getting logistic support in India. India wants to maintain a good relation with Myanmar because of growing influence of China in this region. Fourth and most important, this boundary is like a gateway to the India’s growing trade partners in South-East Asia.

Above discussion amply demonstrates the growing geopolitical importance of India’s land bounday. Adding to it in the fact that India is the largest democracy and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The achievement of India in the field of science and technology especially in space and missile technology is spectacular. Hence, the rightful aspirations and concerns of Indian public can’t be ignored altogether. India has a great responsibility in maintaining peace and stability in the region. For this, the geopolitical importance of her landboundary is immense.

Answer : Indian ocean is the only ocean which is named after a country which itself shows the dominant influence India has been exerting in this region since antiquity. In view of various geopolitical, historical and soci-economic considerations, India has a major role to play in the Indian Ocean region.

The role of India in the Indian ocean region becomes important in the content of following considerations:

1. The location of India given it a central position in the Indian Ocean. The Indian peninsula penetrates into the ocean, dividing the oceanic realm into the two flanking expanses of water-the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Indian is rightly called the crown of the Indian ocean.
2. The two water bodies of Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal with a total coastline of 6088 km. have played an important role in the cultural interaction of the Indian people with the Middle East, South East Asia, and East Africa. Indian coastline comprises 12.5 percent of the total coastline of Indian ocean.
3. There are 36 littoral and 11 hinterland states, all of which are developing states as shown in the figure given below.
4. Historically and strategically the northern portion of the Indian Ocean in which India is located is considered very important because it is excessible from the West and the East through narrow straits. The India ocean itself serves as a link between the eastern and the western world.
5. Today most of the trade routes connecting east and west pass through the Indian Ocean. With the opening of the Suez Canal this Importance has been further enhanced.
6. For India's point of view there are as many as 11 hundred Islands of India in the Indian Ocean. The security and development of these Islands is closely linked with the Indian ocean.
7. 98 percent of India's International trade is carried through the Indian ocean routes.
8. About 63 percent of India's mineral oil comes from oceanic area.

In view of the above facts it is in the Indian interest that peace exists in the Indian ocean. However Indian ocean area has been a zone of perpetual conflicts the principle reason is the low level of socio-cultural and economic development coupled with historical factors of the area. Many wars has been fought in this area such as Arab-Israil war, Indo-Pak war, Iran-Iraq war. Gulf war of 1991 and the recent attack of US-Iraq. These wars have invited the interference of major powers specially USA.

During post world war period, the Indian ocean area has been witness to increased rivalry between he pick powers specially USA vs Erstwhile USSR or say, confinement of communism (Domino hypothesis) Vs Propagation of communistic philosophy. This has contributed very much for the volatile nature of the Indian ocean region.

Indias being the largest democracy of the world and the major regional power of the Indian ocean area has a major role to play in the conflict-resolution of the states of the area. India's role is also important in the context of security of the states of the Indian ocean region. For example India has been playing a major role in the resolution of interval conflict in Sri Lanka. Even the parties of currently ongoing peace-talks in Sri Lanka - the Srilankan government and LTTE acknowledge India's role in establishing peace in the island nation.

Similarly Indian airforce took rapid action to save Maldives, when some armed group attacked Maldive's sovereignty in the 1989-90 India is known for its peace keeping operations under the banner of UN al over the world.

Realizing the importance of India in the international Community the US pressurized India recently to send its troops for the restructuring and restoration of peace in Iraq. However India has rightly turned down the US-offer which shows the increasing cloud of India in the International world order.

India has economic interest also in the Indian ocean region. Our country posseses 24 Lakh km2 area of exclusive economic zone. The Indian ocean has reserves of polymetallic nodules containing many important minerals such as Nickel,Cobelt, Caupper, Mangnese and so on. For the exploitation of these resources India wants peace to remain in this region.

Apart from polymetallic minerals fisheries is also important as source of food and income for the people of the country. There is scope for the development of the deep sea fisheries in the Indian ocean. Besides Indian ocean is a source of many biological resources.

Moreover Indian ocean can also provide alternate sources of non-renewable energy such as wave power, tidal power, OTEC etc. work in this field for exploiting this energy is going on.

Under the convention of the law of sea (UNCLOS-III) in 1982 India has been assigned a unique position begetting its technological and scientific advancement. India become the only developing country to be given the status of pioneer investor enabling into undertake a sea-bed mining in the southern part of the Indian ocean as shown in the figure given below.

All this compelled India to have a clearly charted out ocean policy where it would be sure of its goals. This was done in 1982 where the objectives of ocean development include:

1. Optimum utilization of living and non-living resources of the Sea;
2. Promotion of research in basic sciences;
3. Exploration and exploitation of polymetallic nodules from the deep sea-bed;
4. Harnessing of renewable sources of energy;
5. Acquisition and development of appropriate technology; etc.

Despite all these development and India's desire to make Indian ocean a zone of peace, the interference of great powers is increasing day by day and more so after the 11 September attack on the USA. So India has to play a major role in fostering cooperation between the Indian ocean region state. To this end the Indian Ocean RIM Association for Regional Cooperation (IORARC) took birth or 5 March, 1997. This is a association of 19 member countries, coming from the continence of Asia, Africa and Australia to step up regional cooperation, International trade etc.

Indian's relevance in the Indian ocean region and its role will be ultimately determined by its Trans-border capabilities economic strength andmilitary capabilities.

Answer : Large extent of the country and uneven topography hinders mobility which coupled with low level of socio-economic development, illiteracy and low awareness level make the people deep rooted to their immediate surrounding. This imparts a feeling of regional consciousness in the people who are tied to their distinct cultural identity which has evolved in that regional milieu over generations. There is slight difference between regional consciousness and regionalism. Regional consciousness is not an unhealthy regional feeling. Here people feel proud of their distinct regional culture and they would like to preserve it. Regionalism denotes the feeling of deprivation because of logging behind in the process of development and due to other reasons. This creates dissension which hampers the spread of national feeling.

National integration is very much relevant in the context of regional consciousness. As against assimilation, it does not require loss of identity. It preserves regional diversities under the broad umbrella of nationalist outlook.

Now the role of language in this context. Language can be regarded as most expressive manifestation of cultural traits. It is perhaps the most important mark of group identification in India.

Language is a medium for communication with one another and it facilitates dissemation of ideas, skills and cultures. As we know our country has a diversity of ethnic stock and it is not surprising that these diverse ethnic groups tend to preserve their language or dialect.

India is a country of vast extent comprising various distinct physiographic units at macro and micro level. Different ethnic groups in the historical past have come to India and settled in these units. These diverse ethnic groups and their complex interaction with their milieu in different regional units have led to the evolution of a variety of languages and dialects. That is why these languages are often associated with the feeling of regional consciousness.

However the magnitude of linguistic diversity in the country has many a times been overstated. The census of 1961 listed 1652 languages and dialects (187 being language), but a great majority of themare tribal dialects spoken bya few hundred or few thousand people. It may be also noted that 23 languages account for97% of the population. Languages spoken by the people of India belong to four major language families.

1. Indo-European or Aryan language: These are spoken by 73% population of India. The languages of this family are Hindi, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Gujrati, Oriya, Bihari, Bengali, Assamese, Marathi Konkani and Kashmiri besides a number of minor variations of these languages.

2.The Dravidian languages: These are spoken by 20% population of India. Tamil, Telugu, Malyalam and Kannada occupy prominent place in this family. Tamil stand apart distinctively compared to Telugu, Malyalam and Kannada which have many words with Sanskrit origin.

3.The Austric Family: It is represented by two main branched-Munda and Monkhmer. The Munda branch has the largest number of speakers. This includes fourteen tribal languages of which Santhali is spoken by about 3 million persons. The Monkhmer branch includes Khasi and Nicobari.

4.The Sino-Tibetan Languages: Spoken by about 1% of the population, the main languages of this family are Ladakhi, Sikkim, Bhutia, Manipuri and Naga.

Following figure amply demonstrates the role of language in the formation of cultural regions of India which very much correspond with the boundaries of the state.

India is perhaps the only country where the states are divided primarily on a linguistic basis. Though many leaders were not in favour of such reorganisation, it was inevitably done because of strong linguistic sentiments. Some historical factors were also responsible for such a situation. British colonial rule in India was concerned with the administrative convenience only which were often in utter disregard to the linguistic feeling of the people. Partition of Bengal in 1905 and subsequent agitation strengthened the linguistic sentiments. In 1917 Andhra in south and sind in the North-West became separate provinces because of popular linguistic demands.

After independence a state Reorganisation Committee was set up according to whose report states were reorganised in 1956, primarily on the basis of language. But language was not the role criterion. A closer scrutiny will reveal that together with language many variables and critical factors were taken into account such as-

(i)Ethnic cum economic consideration states- North-eastern

(ii)Religion, script and Sentiments Haryana - Punjab and

(iii)Language cum culture-Maharastra and Gujarat

(iv)Historical and Political factors- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

(v)Integration of Princely states and the need for viable groupings.-Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh

Presently there are eight states in the Hindi speaking belt which shows that role of language in present day organisation of states in diminishing. In the recent formation of Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and Uttaranchal, developmental issues were prominent.

Thus there is no denying the fact that language does play a role in regional consciousness and regionalism, it should not be overstated and both its positive and negative aspects need to be properly analysed positive in terms of strength in unity and negative through emotional frenzy. Language is “an expression of shared life thought structures and value patterns” and as such has the potential to unite people emotionally and make them work to improve their common destiny as also to add to their bargaining strength. The story of the creation of Punjabi Suba is one case in point.

But common language is no bar to intra-state regionalism. Nothing perhaps illustrates this better than the Telengana issue where economic grievances and demands triumph over considerations of linguistic homogeneity. The very fact that language helps a group to forge an emotional identity also tends to make it highly inflammable, as shown by the language riots in Assam or in Tamil Nadu. The language issue in terms of regional language vs. Hindi vs. English has led sometimes to fearful apprehension. But such fears are exaggerated-English is continuing and resistance to Hindi is weakening.

The role of language in the process of national integration is overlooked more often than not. It would be erroneous not to recognise the strong trend of inter-language cross fertilization that has been spread over millenia. Over the years each of these distinct groups of languages has come into close contact with remaining groups and out of this contact has arises a vocabulary which shows a Pan-Indian characteristic. Moreover Hindi is spoken and understood by about 50% population of India. National Television, Doordarshan and various other media channels and even the use of computer in both Hindi and English are contributing in this process.

Experience has shown that thrust of linguistic regionalism can be contained if not neutralized altogether with a relatively equitable sharing of the economic cake, tactful political and administrative management and firm handling by the strong nationalist leadership.

Answer : Indian ocean is the third largest ocean on the earth which was previously called the ‘British lake’ because of colonial might exerted by U.K. in this region. It is the only ocean which is name after a country, India, which itself shows the dominant influence India has been exerting in this region since antiquity.

The geopolitical importance of Indian ocean area can be discussed under following points.

1. Indian ocean area has been a zone of perpetual conflict. The principal reason is the low level of sociocultural and economic development of the area. There are 36 littoral and 11 hinterland states, all of which are developing states, shown in the figure given below.
2. Many wars have been fought in this area involving allies of major power, such as Arab-Israel war, Indo-Pak war, Iran-Iraq war, Gulf war of 1991 etc. This has resulted into increased geopolitical necessity on the part of big powers to intervene in this area.
3. During post-world war period, in the cold war era, the Indian ocean area has also been witness to increased rivalry between big powers especially U.S.A. vs. erstwhile U.S.S.R. or say confinement of communism (Domino Hypothesis) vs propogation of communistic philosophy.
4. There are economic reasons also for the geopolitical importance of Indian ocean area. These are:
   1. Existence of many strategic mineral resources.
   2. 75% of World’s oil reserves lies in this area especially in middle east countries.
   3. It is aptly remarked that oil has placed in the hands of middle-east countries a tremendous geopolitical weapon with which to wield power as shown by oil embargo in Arab-Israel war.
   4. One of the possible reason cited for the recent U.S. attack on Iraq is the interest of U.S. in huge oil reserves of Iraq.
   5. The Indian ocean countries provide raw material and market for finished goods to the developed world.
5. Strategic location of India Ocean as a trade rout connecting east with west is also a factor for its geopolitical importance
6. World is increasingly looking towards oceans as a alternate source of food and the Indian Ocean is no exception.
7. Presently less than 10% of the fish resources of the region is utilised leaving ample scope for their scientific management and exploitation.
8. Sea bed of Indian ocean contains vast deposit of polymetallic nodules like mangnese nodules (areal coverage 10 million km2), phosphorite nodules, copper, cobalt, iron ore, phosphate, chromium, monazite etc.
9. In the post cold war period, the maritime focus of the west has shifted from the Atlantic--Pacific combine to Pacific- Indian Ocean region.
10. Nuclear deterrentis mare likely to be sea based in this period.
11. In this era of globalisation and liberalisation, nations of this region will be more dependent on the ocean for their export and import.
12. Energy security will assume the highest priority in national planning of the states.
13. Location of most part of Indian ocean is the tropical zone provides vast scope for the development of sea-based non-conventional sources of energy.
14. Presence of so many military bases of major powers such as Diego Garia, Cockburan sound of U.S. and other naval bases of U.K.,Russia, etc. amply indicate the geopolitical importance of the region.
15. The Indian Ocean region has assumed evertime greatest geopolitical significance after the 11th September attack on U.S. Some of the countries of this region has become. The favourite breeding ground for the menance of terrorism.
16. There is every need for cooperation between the countries of Indian Ocean as it would-
    1. alter this zone of conflict into zone of peace
    2. reduce their dependence on the north.
    3. reduce the undue interference of U.S. in this region.
    4. increase their political maneouverability and self confidence vis-a-vis big powers.

Answer : Indian ocean is the their largest ocean of the world which lies adjacent to the continents of Asia, Africa and Australia. It is geographically located with reference to India. The Indian subcontinent seemingly forms a keystone in the arch of the coasts that border it. The land locked nature of the ocean in the north has given India a commanding position. From the eastern coast of Africa and the shores of the Persian Gulf to the strait of Malacca no other country rivals India's dominant location in the Indian Ocean.

For over 1800 years India has used the Indian Ocean for trade, defence, colonization, and diffusion of its culture particularly in South-East Asia. This fact, apart from other things, also gives importance to India in the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean realm.

This realm has been a zone of conflict since the Second World War. All littoral states want the Indian Ocean to remain a zone of peace. The importance of India lies in making this realm a peaceful one as it has been a peace loving nation. Moreover the country has influential position among the countries of this realm and it can, with the help of other countries of the relam, counter the geopolitical manuevres of USA and China to a certain extent. In fact, India is one of the pioneers to raise the demand of maintaining Indian Ocean as a zone of peace and has strongly advocated for it at all the international forums.

In recent times, some countries of this realm have become breeding ground of fundamentalism and terroristic activities, thereby threatening the world peace and security. India, also a victim of terrorism, can help in controlling and eliminating this menace.

The geopolitical importance includes economic aspect also. India, the 4th largest and one of the fastest growing economies of the world, is playing an important role in promoting trade, commerce and development in this realm through multi-lateral agreements. These agreements involve taking benefit of India's progress in many fields, especially science and technology and human resource.

China has the ambition to fill the vaccum created by the disintegration of USSR and assume the leadership of Afro-Asian World. India is an important link in maintaining a power-ballance in the Indian Ocean realm.