UPSC Mains 2024 GS2 Q9 — International Relations Geopolitics
‘The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China's supply chain and as a strategically to counter China's political and econimic dominance.’ Explain this statement with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Explain
- Scope keywords
- reduce dependence on China's supply chainalternativestrategically to counterpolitical and econimic dominanceThe West is fostering India
- Implicit sub-parts
- What are the specific economic drivers (China Plus One) pushing the West toward India?
- How does India serve Western geopolitical interests in the Indo-Pacific beyond just economics?
- What institutional mechanisms (QUAD, iCET, G7 outreach) demonstrate this 'fostering'?
- What are the internal challenges or limitations in India's capacity to fulfill this role?
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic essay on Indo-US relations without focusing on the 'China' factor.
- Ignoring the 'Supply Chain' aspect and focusing only on military cooperation.
- Failing to provide contemporary examples like the Apple ecosystem shift or semiconductor partnerships.
- Providing a one-sided view without mentioning that India maintains strategic autonomy and is not a formal Western ally.
- Mixing up political dominance with ideological differences without citing specific regional conflicts (e.g., South China Sea).
- Dimensions required
- Geoeconomic (Supply Chain Resilience)Geopolitical (Indo-Pacific security)Technological (Critical and Emerging Technologies)Institutional (Multilateral groupings like IPEF, G7)Strategic Autonomy (India's independent stance)
- Marks allocation hint
Spend 30 words on the context of 'China Plus One' and supply chain shifts. Devote 50 words to economic examples like PLI schemes and manufacturing shifts. Use 50 words to discuss strategic/political countering via QUAD and defense tech transfers. Reserve the final 20 words for a balanced conclusion on India's own national interests.
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