India Cabinet
Katrina Pasquinelli, Chair
Sara McTigue, Political Officer
India Cabinet
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India Cabinet
Katrina Pasquinelli, Chair
Sara McTigue, Political Officer
An Open Letter to All Honorable Delegates from the Chair,
I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all to the JCC Indian Cabinet. India as you
know, or will soon find out is a diverse country rich in historical drama and controversy.
Standing as the world’s largest democracy, India, is a country rich in opportunities that has a
reservoir of untapped potential. A superpower in its own right, this great nation has long been
hindered by gridlock due to corruption, nepotism, and bureaucracy. A nation of 1.3 billion
people with nuclear capability should not have to play catch up with its fellow superpowers, but
India is doing just that. However, this shall no longer be the case because of you. As the
handpicked ministers of the brand-new Prime Minister Narendra Modi, you shall usher in a new
era for India; an era of progress and reform. However, this shall be no easy task. Years of
ineffective governing and foreign conflicts have held this nation back, so your first priority shall
be to make India pick itself up, and brush the dirt off. Only when outstanding conflicts are dealt
with, can we work towards making this nation great.
To be a successful minister, unity is key. You must be a leader who is forward thinking
and innovative. The aggressive pursuit of a solution is highly encouraged, but aggression
towards a fellow minister shall be met with reprimand. When it comes to speaking, the key is
quality over quantity unlike larger committees such as DISEC or the General Assembly. Yes, the
more speeches you give, the better, but repetitiveness or “reiteration” will reduce your credibility
and reputation in the eyes of your fellow ministers and your chair. Furthermore, you shall all be
granted with the ability to pass directives that will aid India in its quest to become a true global
power. Directives should be well planned, worded and should focus on the topic and/or crisis at
hand. Position papers shall be thoroughly analyzed, but do not worry, I will not hold you 100%
to your ministers viewpoint. The best delegates adapt to the situation rather than stubbornly stick
to a dying cause. You shall still be held accountable to best represent your respective ministry
and the Indian people. Furthermore, your economic and political views should be in line with
PM Modi’s. Only one position paper is required for this committee.
A little bit about me and this cabinet
I have been in Model UN for 2 years, participated in a handful of both highly-competitive
and training conferences alike. Although I associate with such a political crew, my true calling is
fine arts. So, creativity in committee will be greatly appreciated and rewarded.
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Your Chair,
Katrina Pasquinelli
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Overview-India
"India is the cradle of human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend,
and the great grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most astrictive materials in the history of man are treasured up in
India only! “
-Mark Twain
India’s rich history not only contributes
the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries C.E.). The
to the nation’s growing success, but also its
Golden Age saw a flowering of Indian science,
abundance of issues. Beginning with the Indus
art, and culture as Islam spread across the
Valley civilizations flourishing during the 3rd and
subcontinent over a period of 700 years.
2nd millennia B.C.E., India’s success, or rather
In the early 16th century, the Emperor
survival, as a monarchial empire began. The
Babur established the Mughal Dynasty that ruled
Maurya Empire of the 4th and 3rd centuries
India for more than three centuries. Aryan tribes
B.C.E - which reached
from the northwest infiltrated the Indian
its zenith under
subcontinent through the Kyber Pass around 1500
Ashoka - united much
C.E. and their integration of earlier Dravidian
of South Asia. During
tradition and customs created the classical Indian
his climactic rule,
culture. During the late Mughal Empire, circa
Ashoka was capable of
1600, European explorers began establishing
extending the empire
footholds in India and, by the 19th century, Great
to new lands and with
Britain had become the dominant political power
his empirical
on the subcontinent.
expansion he spread buddhism throughout his
The Indian Empire, under the British Raj
kingdom. With a strong start, the Maurya Empire
(1858-1947) was a period of drastic change both
was followed by the Golden Age, ushered in by
socially and politically- the actual specifics will
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have its own section. Its power and global
Vernacular Press Act of 1878, or their solitary
involvement can truly be seen during its later
neglect leaving the Indians to their own
years with the British Indian Army playing a vital
devices after the Great Uprising of 1875.
role in both World Wars.Years of nonviolent
The British Raj endured a plethora of
resistance to British rule, led by Mohandas
social reform beginning in the 1870’s
Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, eventually resulted
continuing until about 1910, preceding WWI .
in Indian independence, which was granted in
There were two sides to social reform during
1947 following the end of WWII. Large-scale
this period, radical and moderates, both
communal violence took place before and after
the subcontinent partition into two separate states
advocating for change. By 1885, intellectuals
- India and Pakistan. The neighboring nations
and professionals alike were assembling the
have fought three wars since independence, one
Indian National Congress, its debates creating
of the last of which was in 1971 and resulted in
a new image and outlook of Great Britain and
East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of
the control they possessed over India. Around
Bangladesh.
the same time Bengal was facing pressing
———————————————————
issues with partitioning.
The British Raj:
The separation,
similar to the Partition of India, faced troubles
A founding member of the UN in San
dividing Bengal into Muslim and Hindu
Francisco, and a part of the league of nations,
provence when attempting to separate from
the British Raj possessed a considerable
the Empire. The response to the partition
amount of power. Unfortunately, that power
transcended social classes; there were
did not translate into a tranquil empire. The
boycotts and bombings by students coming
British Raj had to deal with many social and
home-although many efforts were suppressed
political changes that involved uprisings and
and dealt with my authorities- it was a time
revolutions and resulted in internal distress
frequently plaugued with terrorism that is still
and conflict. Attempts at solution by the
a prevalent issue with separation of countries
British empire involved actions such as the
today.
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themselves, Pakistan and India fought over
territorial claims.
Princely-ruled areas such as
Hyderabad and Kashmir were also involved
in the partition. Their allegiance with either
Pakistan or India was determined by their
ruler, the problems in that decision lying with
Kashmir. Kashmir joined India with the
signing of the Instruments of Accession due
Partition of India:
to its Muslim Majority and yet, both Pakistan
The Partition of India began in the
and India laid claims on upon it. The
aftermath of WWII, marking the end of the
opposing ownership of the area and the
British Raj. Whilst both Great Britain and
controversial status of the documents signed,
British India were under great economic
resulted in the main conflict these countries
stress put upon them from the war and its
continue to face, and the constant battling
demobilization, independence for India
between the two.
became an attainable goal in the eyes of the
——————————————————
people and thus, their efforts towards partition
Kashmir and Its Historic
began.
Controversial Status
Those who wanted a Muslim Indian
Considered the core political dispute
state had the intention of a clean break,
by Pakistan, Kashmir stands as the oldest
ending in an independent Pakistan and
item on the UN agenda tracing back to the
Hindustan, dividing the empire by religious
Partition of India. The root of the dispute
lines. The partition of India was predicted to
stemming from the controversial claims made
be a peaceful separation but, the uneven
by the Instruments of Accesion succeeding
scattering of Muslims and Hindus in the
the coercive occupation of Jammu and
empire made it impossible. The partition of
Kashmir by India in 1947 . Kashmir is
India, a predicted success in the eyes of
recognized globally, with the
many, instead, turned into wars and conflicts
among the Muslim, Hindu and Sikh people.
While their people fought amongst
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exception of India, as a disputed territory
security forces wide-ranging powers to shoot,
and, the people of Kashmir, as well as
arrest and search in battling a separatist
Pakistan and the UN, do not recognize the
insurgency -- further alienates Kashmiris.
assertion of ownership made by India. The
rivals have fought two of three wars over the
To make a long story short:
territorial issue in 1947 and in 1965. A third
conflict between India and Pakistan erupted
“1. New Delhi's allegation of assistance to the
in 1999 after Pakistani-backed forces
Kashmiri people from the Pakistan side is
infiltrated Indian-controlled Kashmir in the
unfounded. Objective reports in foreign
Kargil area. Both India and Pakistan have
media testify that the Kashmiri agitation is
fired across the demarcating Line of Control.
indigenous.
Such incidents have become common but
2. Pakistan upholds the right of the people of
India has so far refrained from incursions into
Jammu and Kashmir to self-determination in
accordance with the resolutions of the United
Nations Security Council. These resolutions
of 1948 and 1949 provide for the holding of a
free and impartial plebiscite for the
determination of the future of the state by the
people of Jammu and Kashmir.
3. The basic points about the UN resolution
are that:
• The complaint relating to Kashmir was
initiated by India in the Security Council;
• The Council explicitly and by implications,
Pakistani territory.
In 1998, both nations successfully
rejected India's claim that Kashmir is legally
tested nuclear weapons, raising the stakes in
Indian territory;
the Kashmiri conflict and in turn, overall
regional and global security. Discontent with
India within Kashmir has been a constant
presence way and manifests itself repeatedly
in street demonstrations. India's Armed
Forces Special Powers Act -- which gives
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1)http://www.pakun.org/kashmir/history.php
•
The resolutions established self-
inadequacies that have been in place since
determination as the governing principal for
their colonization. Paperwork takes months
the settlement of the Kashmir dispute.”1
to process and is often misplaced and the
—————————————————————————
government’s previous socialist system that
Modern Day India
focused on welfare is no longer capable of
India faces a surfeit of issues from Indian
supporting India with the progression it has,
societal conflict and a stagnant economy. The
and continues to experience.
Though India is the world’s largest
expansive Indian Subcontinent is divided into
only 28 states, which causes a variety of
democracy, it has suffered from corrupt
conflicts to arise. With over 2,000 spoken
bureaucracy and flawed socialism that has
dialects, and each state possessing different
burdened the majority of Indians financially.
political views, India’s extensive diversity
Though no longer stagnant, India’s economic
within the nation actually presents a problem.
growth rate has steadily declined and the
Although multiple perspectives on a political
threat posed by inflation is becoming more
issue can be beneficial, it frequently leads to
serious as time progresses. India’s average
gridlock resulting in an unproductive
tariff rate is 7.2 percent, and their non-tariff
parliament. In fact, the past elections in
barriers along with other importation taxes
which Narendra Modi won, was the first time
significantly impede trade contributing to its
since 1984 that the Indian parliament had a
economic predicament. India walks a fine line
party that had a majority, simply due to the
in respect to its monetary freedom, and the
sheer number of political parties that exist.
burdensome taxes and tariffs placed on the
people are subject bureaucratic corruption.
These glaring inefficacies have been
an ever-constant presence in India since it’s
Modi’s new expansionary and capitalistic
independence in 1947 and, sadly, this is a
fiscal policy is expected to help India utilize
reality the Indian people have become
the tools it posses and transform into a global
accustomed to. The Indian government lives
superpower; joining the ranks of the USA,
in the past, still relying on railways left by the
China and Russia. India is finally, but slowly,
British, and other colonial legacies. For
starting to progress rather than stagnate.
example, starting small business in India is
next to impossible due to bureaucratic
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Kashmir have begun to demand Kashmiri
Separatist Movements
independence. In Punjab, out of Kashmir, the
Diversity, as aforementioned, plays a
Sikhs demanded an independent Sikh country
key role in Indian politics. The divergent
to be called Khalistan. In Northeast India,
views between geo-political entities lead to
there were frequent demands for separate
internal instability that stems from the
states by a variety of native communities
creation of the nation. Since India's
stemming from the area’s tribal descent.
independence in 1947, there have been
Northeast India was, during the British Raj,
attempts by a variety of Indian communities
province of Assam. In this region, which
to establish independent countries on Indian
borders China, there are many communities
soil -using terror and other means- but, so far,
which are referred to under Indian law as
India has remained a united country.
tribes. Since India's independence many tribal
The partition-rich history of India
communities in this region, originally
was bound to inspire separatist movements
supported by their Chinese neighbors, tried to
for example, in Kashmir, organizations that
establish independent states apart from India.
had previously demanded a Pakistani-
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In the 1960s rebellions from Mizoram
region even declared independence. The
Indian army suppressed these rebellions in
this region and the rebellion leaders signed
peace treaties with the Indian government. To
further address the rebellions the Indian
government created autonomous states for the
different tribes in this region within the Indian
Union by detaching parts from Assam. Other
frustrating actions taken by the Indian
governments caused discontent among the
Assamese and they demanded to separate
from India. In the 1980s there was even a
terror organization which included rebellions
from the seven Northeast Indian states and
they worked together against the Indian
government.
——————————————————
Nuclear Controversy
In 1974, India conducted its first
nuclear test: a subterranean explosion of a
and all American bank loans, despite the fact
nuclear device dubbed, “Smiling Buddha”.
that neither India nor Pakistan has signed the
India declared it a "peaceful" test, but it
treaties. The President also asked the
announced to the world that India was
International Monetary Fund and World Bank
capable of of nuclear warfare. Approximately
to cancel all new loans which could cost India
two weeks after India’s test in 1998, Pakistani
around $14.5 billion worth of public projects,
began its own nuclear tests, confirming fears
including a major modernization of India's
of an arms race in the region
often failing electrical system. Moreover,
Japan and other industrial nations soon
Following these tests, President Bill
Clinton immediately called for economic
followed the U.S. example and froze on-
sanctions against India that included cutting
going projects in India worth over a billion
off $40 million in economic and military aid,
dollars in aid.
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Presently , India is estimated to posses
led the Indian-nationalist struggle, while the
between 90 and 110 nuclear weapons with
principal Muslim-nationalist, political
both land and air based delivery. The Indian
organization was the Muslim League. As the
Government released a draft of their no first
British government retreated from South Asia
use policy ,in 1999, asserting the nuclear
after WWII, it served notice on these two
weapons they posses are purely a defensive
organizations to negotiate a constitutional
deterrence. The policy also declares that
framework for postcolonial India before its
India “will not be the first to initiate a nuclear
departure in 1947. But the bitter tensions
first strike, but will respond with punitive
created by the colonial legacy of divide and
retaliation should deterrence fail” and the
rule made it impossible for the parties to meet
decision to utilize their weapons of mass
this demand within the prescribed time.
distraction lies in the hands of the prime
Consequently, the British government
minister.
imposed its own plan and departed.
Despite the escalation of tension
According to this plan, devised by the last
between Pakistan and India, India currently
British Viceroy, Louis Mountbatten, areas
remains committed to its nuclear no-first-use
whose populations were predominantly
policy.
Muslim, were to join Pakistan, while Hindu-
——————————————————
majority areas were to be part of India.
In the 565 princely states of South Asia,
which were not governed directly by the
British, the decision to join either India or
Pakistan was left to their rulers. They were, of
course, not required to act according to their
people's wishes. Jammu and Kashmir had a
largely Muslim population but was ruled by a
Hindu who decided to join India.
Overview- Origins of India-Pakistan
A British lawyer Cyril Radcliffe drew the
Conflict
boundary between India and Pakistan. The
incompetence and apathy with which the
The conflict between India and
Pakistan originated as a clash between Indian
British colonial regime handled its departure
and Muslim nationalism during British
had catastrophic consequences. Some three
colonial rule. The Indian National Congress
million people lost their lives and seventeen
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million were compelled to leave their homes.
the territory remained in dispute because an
—————————————————
agreed referendum to confirm the accession
was never held.
***
1965-The two countries went to war again
after Pakistan launched a covert offensive
across the ceasefire line into Indianadministered Jammu and Kashmir. India
Brief Summaries of the India-
retaliated by crossing the international border
Pakistan Conflict By Year:
at Lahore.
***
1947- The Indian subcontinent was
partitioned into Hindu-dominated but
1971-Pakistan descended into civil war after
nominally secular India and the newly created
East Pakistan demanded autonomy and later
Muslim state of Pakistan after India’s
independence. India invaded East Pakistan in
independence from Great Britain in 1947.
support of its people after millions of civilians
Severe rioting and population movement
fled to India. At the end of 1971, Bangladesh
ensued and an estimated half a million people
was created out of East Pakistan.
***
were killed in communal violence. About a
million people were left homeless. Since
1989-Armed resistance to Indian rule broke
partition, the territory of Jammu and Kashmir
out in the Kashmir valley in 1989, with some
has remained in dispute, with Pakistan and
groups calling for independence and others
India both holding sector
calling for union with Pakistan. India accused
***
Pakistan of supplying weapons to the
1947-1948- India and Pakistan first went to
militants. During the 1990s, with the
war in October 1947 after Pakistan supported
emergence of militant Muslim groups, the
a Muslim insurgency in Kashmir. India
movement’s ideology became essentially
agreed to a request for armed assistance from
Islamic in nature.
***
Kashmir's Maharaja, in return for accession
of the state to India. But the nature of that
1996-1997- India and Pakistan set up low-
accession has long been the subject of debate.
level meetings to defuse tension over Jammu
The war ended on 1 January 1949, with the
and Kashmir. The diplomatic push became
establishment of a ceasefire line. The status of
more concerted a year later and an agenda for
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peace talks was agreed on. Also in 1997,
troops along the Indo-Pakistan border ensued.
Pakistan suggested that the two sides meet to
discuss restraining nuclear and missile
capabilities.
***
1998- Fears of a nuclear confrontation grew,
after both sides conducted nuclear tests. The
US ordered sanctions against both countries,
with several European nations doing the
same. Tensions were reduced early the
following year after the two sides signed an
accord pledging to intensify efforts to resolve
all issues – including that of Jammu and
Kashmir.
***
1999-Conflict again erupted after India
launched air strikes against Pakistani-backed
forces that had infiltrated Indian-administered
Kashmir. Fighting built up towards a direct
conflict between the two states and tens of
thousands of people were reported to have
fled their homes on both sides of the ceasefire
line. Later that year, General Musharraf led a
military coup in Pakistan.
***
2001-Tension along the ceasefire line
continued. In October 38 people were killed
after an attack on the Kashmiri assembly in
Srinagar. A month later, 14 people were
killed in an attack on the Indian parliament in
Delhi. India again blamed Pakistani-backed
Kashmiri militants. A dramatic build up of
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Conclusion
After reading this, you may be wondering, “What on Earth is the topic?” Well as you have seen,
India is facing a multitude of problems, all of them pressing issues. It would have been
impossible to focus on one issue without needing to include another problem. Each issue affects
another issue whether it is directly or indirectly. The purpose of this background guide is to
present vague information on a variety of topics that will be discussed during this cabinet. A
recommendation from our staff is to have a very comprehensive general knowledge on a
multitude of topics, especially revolving around the India vs. Pakistan conflict. A strong delegate
will thrive in committee in relation to the crisis being presented. With this being said, delegates
must conduct extensive research on the topics presented in order to facilitate debate within
committee and, eventually come to a solution
It is up to you, and you alone to decide the fate of India, so work hard now and prepare
yourselves well. If you have, any questions feel free to email me at [email protected]
IMPORTANT TOPICS TO KNOW
Indian Foreign Relations
State of the Indian Economy
Behavior and inclinations of Pakistan
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
•
Should India pursue the deflation of tensions between India and Pakistan?
•
Which nations would prove to be useful allies in the event of an unforeseen crisis?
•
What are the most important aspects of the India vs. Pakistan conflict?
•
How is India’s Nuclear policy going to affect their actions and relations in the
future?
•
How should India’s terrorism be dealt with and resolved?
•
What cause and effect relationships are present?
•
What takes precedence, internal or external issues?
•
What should be done with Kashmir?
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•
What forms of social reform should India pursue if any?
•
Should India pursue joint nuclear disarmament with Pakistan?
•
What are the best ways to create political and economic stabilization in Indian
Society?
USEFUL LINKS
http://www.bbc.com/news/10537286
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12557384
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_mkvLDRpbs (Skip to 2:52 and 5:40)
http://www.economicshelp.org/india/problems-indian-economy/
http://www.heritage.org/index/country/india
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Works Cited
Basu, Moni. "Kashmir: India and Pakistan's Bitter Dispute." CNN. Cable News Network, 26
Sept. 2010. Web. 02 Dec. 2014.
"India Country Profile." BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2014.
"India Country Profile." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 02
Dec. 2014.
"Refworld | Global Overview 2011: People Internally Displaced by Conflict and Violence India." Refworld. UNHCR, n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2014.
"Wars and Conflicts between India and Pakistan." Princeton University. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec.
2014.
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