UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on Free Movement Regime and H-1B visas (Week 121)

QUESTION 1

What is the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border? How has it evolved, and what are its current limitations?

QUESTION 2

Discuss how the dominance of Indians as beneficiaries of H-1B visas influences the political and social discourse in the US about skilled immigration.

General points on the structure of the answers for UPSC Mains

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: What is the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border? How has it evolved, and what are its current limitations?

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— The FMR is a mutually agreed arrangement between the two countries that allows tribes living along the border on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.

— The border between India and Myanmar was demarcated by the British in 1826, without seeking the opinion of the people living in the region. The border effectively divided people of the same ethnicity and culture into two nations without their consent. The current India-Myanmar Border reflects the line the British drew.

— The FMR agreement was implemented in 2018 as part of the government’s Act East policy, at a time when diplomatic relations between India and Myanmar were on the upswing.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

— Spanning 1,643 km, the India-Myanmar land boundary passes through the northeastern states of Arunachal (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km), and Mizoram (510 km). The border is marked not only by its rugged terrain but also by its deep cultural ties – ties that have been tested by the drawing and redrawing of borders.

— The people inhabiting this stretch, the Nagas, Kukis, Mizos, and Chins, straddle both sides of the border, maintaining kinship ties, cultural practices and economic exchanges that long predate the imposition of an international border.

Evolution of FMR

— By the 18th century, Britain had established supremacy in India. In the following century, it aspired to extend its rule to Burma, drawn by its natural resources. There was also the pressing desire to open a trade route to China through Burma.

— The Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885-87) led to the annexation of Upper Burma.

— The Simon Commission arrived in Burma on January 29, 1929, with the purpose of assessing whether the region should be separated from India and made a distinct colony. The Commission concluded that Burma and India were two completely different countries.

— The British parliament considered the Government of Burma Bill in 1934–35, and the Act that separated Burma from India came into effect on April 1, 1937. Burma was made an entity of its own within the British Empire, to be governed under the supervision of the British government in London.

Conclusion:

— Unlike the rigid bordering practices along the borders between India and Pakistan, the India–Myanmar borders are marked by limited border norms like walls and border fencing. They are, instead, characterised by porosity and special arrangements for the transit of people under the Free Movement Regime (FMR).

— The FMR was soon exploited by insurgent groups in Northeast India. “Insurgents took advantage of the porosity of the frontier using it to slip into Myanmar for training, safe havens and supplies before re-entering India to carry out attacks.

— From December 2024, the permissible limit for movement has come down to 10 km from 16 km. While the border was drawn and redrawn several times to suit political objectives, the collateral damage done to the ethnic communities in whose territory the border was drawn largely remains unnoticed.

(Source: The India-Myanmar border: when deep cultural ties are tested and redrawn)

Points to Ponder

Read more about FMR

Read about India-Myanmar relations

Related Previous Year Question

‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)

QUESTION 2: Discuss how the dominance of Indians as beneficiaries of H-1B visas influences the political and social discourse in the US about skilled immigration.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— With firms in the US hiring overseas talent now required to pay $100,000 annually for each H-1B visa, India-born workers—who make up over 70 per cent of all H-1B beneficiaries—could be the hardest hit.

— Former aides Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, have praised the H-1B programme for attracting top talent from around the globe to the US.

Body:

— The H-1B program applies to employers seeking to hire nonimmigrant aliens as workers in specialty occupations or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.

— The H-1B provisions intend to help employers who cannot otherwise obtain needed business skills and abilities from the U.S. workforce by authorising the temporary employment of qualified individuals who are not otherwise authorised to work in the United States.

— Immigration is one of the most polarising political issues in the US. According to a YouGov poll from October, 14.6% registered voters felt it was the most important issue in the (then) upcoming election. This number was only 2.1% in 2012.

— People born in India are the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B program. Data from the US government show that Indians account for more than 70% of all H-1B petitions approved each year since 2015. People born in China come a distant second, hovering at the 12-13% mark since 2018.

— There is some truth to this criticism. Nearly 70% of H-1B petitions approved for Indian professionals in US fiscal year 2023 were for salaries below $100,000 per annum, an analysis of data on 60,000 approvals from USCIS obtained by Bloomberg showed. For context, the median salary for IT professionals in the United States was $104,420 in May 2023, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

— Around 25% of petition approvals were for salaries between $100,000 and $150,000, and only 5% were for salaries above $150,000, according to the analysis of USCIS data by The Indian Express in January.

Conclusion:

— Besides the intrinsic racism, this rhetoric is fuelled by the belief that such immigration depresses wages, and takes away jobs that would have otherwise gone to the American working class — which has long been hit by high unemployment, low wages, inflation, a housing crisis, and other economic problems.

— For the very top talent, the US administration also introduced a “gold card” program, which grants permanent residency to individuals who can pay $1 million, or to companies that pay $2 million to fast-track a sponsored worker.

(Source: Explained: H-1B visas, Indians, and the immigration discourse in the US)

Points to Ponder

Read more about H-1B Visa

Read about India-US relations

Related Previous Year Questions

Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India. (2023)

‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. (2020)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 120)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 121)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 120)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 119)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 119)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 120)

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