Me - Good Morning Sir
Ch - Good Afternoon, Q, please sit down
So how are our relations with our neighbouring countries? Let’s start with Bangladesh.
Me - Good phase. Land boundary agreement, felicitation of Indian leaders and soldiers who played an active role in Bangladesh’s liberation.
Nepal- India actively aiding the peace and democracy process since the beginning but has lost leverage because of high handedness and interference. Myanmar - geopolitical considerations have dominated approach - need to combat drug trafficking and insurgency in the NE but as an important regional player and world’s largest democracy and because of Suu Kyi’s important India connection has emphasised the desirability of democracy to the neighbour .
SL- India has voted for the US sponsored resolution at UNHRC but tried to dilute provisions keeping in view SL’s strategic importance -
China, Indian ocean etc etc.
Ch (positively compliments) - But why IFS at no. 6?
Me - Interested in IR but first preference IAS.
(Lots of cross questioning here. )
Giving up IFS will be difficult decision to make. Family considerations and decided upon after much thought. Want to stay in the country.
Ch (not as happy anymore) - It’s your decision but you should give it higher preference.
Maam (long question on ... ) - Crimes against women - new phenomenon? Double standards in our culture - deification on one hand and ill treatment on the other? What will you do?
Me - Not new - more reporting, more awareness, media’s role, less stigma. but as women take to the public domain increase in violence also. Spoke something on the second part. Last part - education, gender sensitization - potential of women if given opportunities, changing attitudes n mindsets etc.. Law in the short term - deterrence - Criminal Law Bill - rattled off a few provisions. Gender sensitive policing.
M1 - But acid attack is bailable? They will roam around free?
Me (stuck) - Yes, but the certainty of law catching up will act as a deterrent. Effectiveness of law important.
M2 - Can Indian Ocean countries collaborate?
Me - Already mecahnism exists - IOR -ARC but not effective - diverse countries.
M2 (still can’t figure out his question; low point of my interview) - The IO region has three outlets (he elaborated), can the so called western imperial powers isolate the SA region??
Me ( i said some crap on .. ) - China - emerging superpower, spreading influence - String of pearls. Some nonsense on Strait of Hormuz. (Sir interrupts, elaborates about Gwadar port, China - pak) - China n pak close allies. nuclear and defence cooperation. implications for India’s security. (Interrupts) Karakarom highway, LAC.
M2 - Goes back to can SA be isolated!?
Me- NO. China and India looking to cooperate.
M3 - Coalition politics- instability. what formal mechanism to prevent regional parties from influencing foreign policy (wrt DMK, AIADMK -SL issue) it?
Me- coalition politics accommodates regional aspirations so good but fragmentation. so upon regional players to have a national outlook.
M3 & Ch - But that is idealistic? formal mechanism?
Me- leadership has important role to play to bring everyone on the same page.
Ch - idealistic. (Before i could say more) M3- Sir, it is a hypothetical question. i am also just wondering!
M4 & Ch- two contrasting states of Kerala and Rajasthan in women’s empowerment? What to do?
Me- Will take a long time for kerala model to work in Raj. long process. Kerala had many advantages like matrilineal society of Nairs and religious institutions driven education etc.. contrasting cultures.
Discussion went to economy of both states - handled well.
(Everyone started talking and laughing amongst themselves)
P.S. It lasted for 30 minutes. I have omitted some background related and personal questions. Can’t remember the exact words i used so have written what, by and large, the crux of the matter of what i said was.
Questions weren’t much but I talked a lot. At some places rambled. Was quite flummoxed at M2’s question.
Overall, very general interview. Vibe was decent/positive.
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