UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions 2021: GS2 International Relations | UPSC Mains: International Relations PDF Download

Q1: “If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa’s.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years. (International Relations)
Ans: 

India's Growing Influence in Africa: The last few decades witnessed remarkable growth in Asian countries, notably driven by China, South Korea, Japan, India, and others. The current global economic shift is now turning towards Africa. Since 2000, at least half of the world’s fastest-growing economies have been in Africa. It is projected that by 2030, Africa will house 1.7 billion people, with combined consumer and business spending totaling $6.7 trillion. The surplus of workers in Africa has captured global attention.

India's Influence in Africa:

• Political Engagement: Africa has become a focal point for India's development assistance and diplomatic outreach, leading to plans for opening 18 new embassies.
• Economic Engagement: India's duty-free tariff preferential scheme for Least Developed Nations (LDCs) has benefited 33 African states, making India a significant trade partner.
• Grants in Aid: Africa is the second-largest recipient of Indian overseas assistance, receiving Lines of Credit (LoC) worth billions of dollars after South Asia.
• Capacity Building: India is investing in capacity building, offering over $1 billion in technical assistance and training under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program.
• Security Cooperation: Approximately 6,000 Indian soldiers are deployed in UN peacekeeping missions in conflict zones across Africa.
• Cooperation on Multiple Fronts: Collaborations extend to solar energy development (International Solar Alliance), information technology, cybersecurity, maritime security, disaster relief, counter-terrorism, and military training.
• Medical Diplomacy: India has shared COVID-19 management strategies and conducted training webinars, exemplified by the e-ITEC initiative exclusively aimed at training healthcare professionals from Africa.

India and Africa present numerous opportunities for each other, such as addressing food security, becoming voices of the developing world, preventing global rivalries, and maintaining diplomatic ties. The enduring India-Africa (Gandhi-Mandela) friendship will mutually benefit both regions.

Q2: “The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain. (International Relations)
Ans: 
US-China Relations: Examining the Contemporary Dynamics: The last few decades have witnessed a significant ascent of China as a formidable global competitor to the United States. The ongoing discourse among experts suggests a potential cold war scenario between these two major world economies.

Contrasting the present situation with the post-World War II era when the US faced the USSR challenge, the current US-China dynamic differs:

• China's Economic Rise: China has evolved into the world's manufacturing hub, experiencing rapid economic growth and holding a pivotal role in the global supply chain. This is a departure from the USSR, which had a weakened economy and could not compete with the US over time.
• Economic Interdependence: Unlike the limited economic and political interdependence between the USSR and the US, China and the US are the two largest global economies, sharing extensive interests, particularly in the economic realm. For instance, their bilateral trade exceeds 500 billion.
• Global Economic Integration: Today's global economy is more interconnected compared to the Cold War era, even when two countries are not in favorable diplomatic terms, they remain dependent on each other.
• Differential Response to Challenges: Unlike the USSR, which often resisted change, China has consistently embraced reforms. China has surpassed the USSR in governance models and is now challenging the US as a global power.

Given the high level of interdependence and the prevalence of globalization, the perceived cold war scenario between the US and China may not necessarily escalate into a full-fledged war. Nonetheless, both countries, as well as the global community, should strive to minimize conflicts and avoid situations that may escalate into violent confrontations.

Q3: Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India? (International Relations)
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India and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
Established in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and military organization aimed at ensuring peace, security, and stability in the region. India became a permanent member in 2017, but the dynamics with China, Pakistan, and Russia pose challenges:

• Complex Relations: Diverging interests among India, Pakistan, Russia, and China create a complex matrix, with concerns over China's adherence to international rules and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects through SCO.
• Regional Stability: Despite SCO's goal of safeguarding regional peace, China, Russia, and Pakistan face accusations of destabilizing actions in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Ladakh, Ukraine, and Jammu & Kashmir, respectively.

Importance of SCO for India:

• Strategic Autonomy: SCO aligns with India's policy of "multi-alignments" and "strategic autonomy."
• Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: SCO's Regional Anti-Terror Structure (RATS) can aid India in countering terrorism, radicalism, and instability.
• Central Asian Outreach: Membership allows India to deepen its strategic reach in Central Asia, enhancing energy security and linking to the larger Eurasian region and Europe via INSTC.
• Pan-Asian Role: India's presence in SCO helps in becoming a major pan-Asian player beyond its current South Asian confinement.
• People-to-People Engagement: SCO can contribute to deepening people-to-people engagement through cooperation in education, medicine, tourism, etc.

While India's relations with the region have vast potential for enhancement, challenges persist due to the roles of China and Pakistan. Positive outcomes will depend on India's diplomatic approach to navigate these complexities.

Q4: The new tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario. (International Relations)
Ans: 
AUKUS: Shaping the Indo-Pacific Security Landscape

AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom in the Indo-Pacific region, aimed at increasing joint capabilities and technology sharing. While it enhances deterrence against China, critics highlight potential drawbacks:

Strengths of AUKUS:

• Provides credible deterrence against China and deepens military capabilities.
• Enhances patrolling and surveillance power in the Indo-Pacific, restoring rules-based order.
• Empowers Australia with nuclear submarines, boosting Indo-Pacific power projection capabilities.

Criticisms and Concerns:

• Risk of superseding existing partnerships like the Quadrilateral Dialogue (QUAD).
• Potential weakening of the Five Eyes alliance and ASEAN centrality in the region.
• May trigger a nuclear/conventional arms race and lead to the spread of sensitive defense technologies.
• Exclusionary approach may run contrary to India's vision of an inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Future Focus:

• Integration of defense and security-related science, supply chains, and technology.
• New architecture for meetings and engagements, emphasizing cooperation in emerging technologies.

India's Perspective:

• Potential to instigate an arms race and trust deficit in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Contrary to India's vision of an inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• Requires leveraging diverse relationships with the West to prevent a split in the Indo-Pacific coalition.

While AUKUS offers advantages in balancing power and checking Chinese aggression, addressing the outlined challenges is crucial for fostering a unified Indo-Pacific coalition.