UPSC Mains 2019 GS2 Q20 — India-US Relations
‘What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s national self-esteem and ambitions.’ Explain with suitable examples.
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Explain
- Scope keywords
- friction into the tiesIndia and the United Statesglobal strategynational self-esteemambitions
- Implicit sub-parts
- Identify specific areas of US global strategy where Indian interests are treated as secondary or peripheral.
- Analyze how India's quest for 'Strategic Autonomy' clashes with the US's 'Alliance' or 'Client State' framework.
- Examine instances where US policy ignores India's regional sensitivities or status (e.g., Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Russia).
- Suggest a path forward where US strategy aligns with India's ambition of being a 'Leading Power'.
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic timeline of India-US history instead of focusing on the 'friction' caused by structural strategic mismatch.
- Failing to define 'national self-esteem' in a geopolitical context (e.g., permanent seat in UNSC, nuclear status, or independent foreign policy).
- Ignoring contemporary examples like the CAATSA sanctions threat or the US position on the India-Canada-Khalistan issue.
- Over-focusing on trade disputes while the prompt specifically asks about 'global strategy' and 'ambitions'.
- Dimensions required
- Geopolitical (Strategic Autonomy vs. Alliances)Security (Indo-Pacific and Neighborhood policy)Technological (iCET and defense transfers)Institutional (UNSC reforms and global governance)Historical (Cold War legacy vs. Modern partnership)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 50 words to defining the mismatch between India's 'Strategic Autonomy' and US 'Alliance' frameworks. Use 150 words to provide concrete examples of friction points like Russia-Ukraine neutrality, CAATSA, and the Indo-Pacific hierarchy. Devote the final 50 words to how the relationship can transition from 'transactional' to 'transformational' by recognizing India's rise as an independent pole.
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