UPSC Mains 2013 · GS II · Q19 · 10 marks · 200 words

What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’ ? How does it impact India ? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.

हिन्दी में

‘मोतियों के हार’ (द स्ट्रिंग ऑफ पर्ल्स) से आप क्या समझते हैं ? यह भारत को किस प्रकार प्रभावित करता है ? इसका सामना करने के लिए भारत द्वारा उठाए गए कदमों की संक्षिप्त रूपरेखा दीजिए ।

Security and Strategic AffairsMajor PowersNeighbourhood

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “China has been recently extending its influence over small countries in India's neighborhood. How does it do so? What steps India needs to take to counter China's influence and safeguard its interests in the region?”

Shubham ShuklaAIR 43 · CSE 2021 · 119 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

China, with its deep pockets & misguided ambitions aimed at not-so-peaceful rise is strategically isolating India in its neighbours.

Steps by China in our neighbourhood :- wrt Srilanka = Hambantota port on 99 yr lease = debt trap wrt Pak = CPEC, BRI, cheap loans, flooding market, Gwadar port wrt Nepal = Cultural integration, rail link, financial package wrt Maldives = political interference, infra funding, FT wrt Bangladesh = deepning ties, defense, etc.

Body · points and prose

n 99 yr lease = debt trap wrt Pak = CPEC, BRI, cheap loans, flooding market, Gwadar port wrt Nepal = Cultural integration, rail link, financial package wrt Maldives = political interference, infra funding, FT wrt Bangladesh = deepning ties, defense, etc.

  • Steps for India to counter China :- (i) avoid direct confrontation = power asymmetry (ii) group with like minded nations = QUAD (eq.) (iii) sustainable financing = AAGC with Japan (iv) vaccine diplomacy + infra development = CBM neighborhood (v) strengthening military & soft power.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper II, Q19. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.