GS4 · UPSC Mains

India has been trying to develop deeper bonds with its neighbors through its neighborhood first policy. The policy has started bearing fruits. In recent years the relationship with country X, one of the India's neighbors, has been improving. This is visible as the government of X has been supportive of Indian government's efforts to reign in the militant groups that find shelter in the dense forests along the border with X. Successful joint operations of Indian army and X's military have helped reduce militancy in the Indian bordering states. Last month, the military of X carried out a coup d'etat and took over the democratically elected government. The entire political leadership was put under house arrest and the head of the government was arrested on the charge of electoral frauds. The citizens of the nation protested against the coup. The military responded with violent suppression of the protesters. A section of police officers, sympathetic to the cause of the protesters, refused to follow orders of their superiors to open fire upon unarmed protestors and even sided with the protestors. This act of defiance created a fear of persecution in these officers by the military. Some of these police officers and their families crossed over to India through porous borders. Inflow of refugees through porous borders has been a continuous source of tension between India and X. In past few years, due to ethnic and religious persecution, a large number of people have come to India illegally. This number is expected to rise in future because of military rule in the country. India is concerned about the inflow of illegal immigrants as well as removal of democratically elected government in X. India has been invited by X to participate in latter's Armed Forces Day parade. Many countries have refused the invitation in wake of the violence seen during handling of protests by the police and armed forces. The permanent representative of X at United Nations has called on the countries of the world to not engage with the military regime of X. Most western countries have announced sanctions against X's military-related individuals and businesses and have called for restoration of democracy. India has been reluctant to comment on the matter and it is still contemplating about future course of action. As a senior bureaucrat in the Ministry of External Affairs, you have been asked by the government to device a professional response to the current crisis, answer the following questions: a) What are the available options and what course of action would you suggest? b) List five ethical factors that would influence your suggestion to the government.

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