UPSC Mains 2015 · GS II · Q17 · 12.5 marks · 200 words

Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine.

हिन्दी में

अफ्रीका में भारत की बढ़ती हुई रुचि के सकारात्मक और नकारात्मक पक्ष हैं। समालोचनापूर्वक परीक्षण कीजिए।

Bilateral RelationsTrade and Economic Diplomacy

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Discuss the challenges and opportunities for India in its engagement with the African Continent and suggest ways to improve, enhance the partnership.”

Kumud MishraAIR 69 · CSE 2024 · 141 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

India has actively engaged with Africa because of deep historical and cultural interlinkages i.e. post colonial identity.

Body · points

Opportunities for India : (1) cooperation in capacity building, Ex. TEAM-9, ITEC, pan-African network (2) south-south solidarity Ex. BRICS, IBSA, G4 (3) Demand for multilateral reforms. Ex. Bretton Woods, UNSC (4) cooperation in infra development Ex. Asia Africa Growth corridor (AAGC)

Challenges for India : ↳ Chinese expansionism Ex. BRI, String of pearls ↳ Africa-China engagement Ex. military base at Djibouti ↳ "Resource curse" leading to poverty, ethnic strife, civil wars in region. ↳ Increasing tilt of Africa towards other countries like USA, Russia, China

Improving, Enhancing Partnership

  • Soft power diplomacy Ex. IIT campus at Zanzibar
  • Indian peacekeeping operations
  • Recent 15th BRICS summit.
  • Capacity building like infra development (Egypt)

Close · a way forward

Thus, Uganda ten principles can help to pursue extended neighbourhood policy.

1 more topper’s answer to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper II, Q17. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.