Relevance of boundary disputes in Globalization...

India & China stand as major blocks in determining the world politics 2day.Yet they have unsorted issues b/w them undermining their mutual trust & co-operation.The recent visit of Dalai Lama to Tawang has brought Sino-Indian relations 2 a test.Beijing refers to Arunachal Pradesh as "Southern Tibet" which is denied by the Indian counterpart.Tawang is the most sacred town on Tibetan Buddhist map after Lhasa as the 6th Dalai Lama was born here in the 17th century.Dalai Lama clarified his visit as purely religious & not political.The U.S. also agrees with this view.Meanwhile the cause of concern for the Indians is the proposed construction of a dam over Tsang-po(Bramhaputra) by China.The visit of Mr.Manmohan Singh has also raised questions by the Chinese.The dialogue b/w the two countries has not yet given a clear stand on Arunachal Pradesh,also China has not recognised Sikkim as an integral part of India.The construction of a road in Demchok in South eastern Ladhakh has been objected by China.These issues seem tiny when the internal problems of the countries are seen as a whole.A lot of surveys show that both countries suffer from the common problems of Illiteracy,poverty & healthcare.A data shows that India spends around 2% of its GDP in defence against 7%of China.UNDP`s Human Development Index puts China on 92nd & India on 134th position.India is ranked 84 while China is on 79th pos in Corruption Perceptions Index.In legatum prosperity index,India stands on 45th pos as to China`s 75th.This goes on to clearly indicate the amount of work required to make these countries, leaders in all dimensions.The major territorial disputes can be classified as:-
Arunachal Pradesh:-
China claims 90,000 sq kms and calls it South Tibet.It has refused to acknowledge The McMohan line called The Line Of Actual Control.It is basically interested in Tawang & nothing else.
Aksai Chin:-
The uninhabited area of around 80,000 sq kms in north-east Ladhakh is called Aksai Chin.It is under Chinese occupation & this was noticed in 1959 when a road was found out of nowhere connecting Xinjiang province of China with Tibet.
Trans Karakoram tract:-
This was a gift from Pakistan to China in 1963.India has stern objections `coz it claims it as a part of Jammu & Kashmir.
Considering the sizes of these countries,these disputes seem very small.It is not worth fighting over disputed areas than underdeveloped ones.Both the countries must strive to combat their internal problems.Border issues take a long time to settle and so be it.Opportunities of mutual co-operation must not be sacrificed for petty land issues.

Copenhagen...events & repercussions!!

Climate change has become the most threatening problem challenging the mankind.As of now,the dangers can easily be perceived.11 of the last 14 years hv been the hottest on record.The arctic cap is melting and the recent inflamed oil and food prices show us a glimpse of future.The temperature rise must be limited to 2*C & for this to happen,global emissions must peak in 5-7 years.A higher rise of temp wud turn farmlands into deserts,displacing millions & drowning nations.
The Copenhagen summit became crucial `coz the kyoto protocol is due to expire in 2012.A new framework was needed,hence the urgency was shown by 170 countries.The accord concluded thru hard bargaining.It promises $100 billion in annual funding to developing countries from 2020 & $30 million by 2012.The temp rise must be limited to a max of 2degrees.The cricism includes no deadline of a peaking year for emissions,non-binding nature of the accord.
Problems:-
The summit started with an ambitious note to bring drastic emission cuts.Though it took less time for the developing countries to drift apart from the developed ones.The former wanted transparency in the dealings as well as demanded the latter ones to respect the Kyoto Protocol which demands 5.2% cuts in the emission of greenhouse gases namely carbon dioxide,sulphur dioxide,nitrous oxide & sulphur hexafluoride from 1990 levels for Annex 1 nations.The developing nations asked larger cuts for the developed ones `coz its more feasible than them.The personal intervention of Barrack Obama also caused problems as he seemed to single out the Chinese P.M. Wen Jiabao. Wen,on the other hand refused to talk unless the BRIC countries were brought on the table.Hence the outcome was not as expected.
Declarations:-
The deadline of declaration of emission cuts expired on 31st Jan.India declared cuts of 20-25% against its emissions of 1 tonne per capita in 2005,China pledged to do it at 40-45% against its 5 tonnes emission.U.S. declared its cuts to 17% against its 23 tonnes in 2005.This have to be done till 2020.India & China have been greatly appreciated for their constuctive role.But once again the U.S. role is in question.A 17% cut in 2005 levels would mean a mere 4% cut against its emissions in 1990.This not even satisfies the Kyoto Protocol.One of the other criticism of the U.S. is it`s not ratifying to the Kyoto Protocol even when it is the one 2 have initiated it.
The summit failed to achieve transparency as well as the desired goals but it has certainly united the world in the common cause of preventing our planet.It has also shown a thornier path ahead in climate change negotiations.