UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 : Question on India-Russia relationship and expansion of BRICS (Week 59)

QUESTION 2

Evaluate the potential implications of Southeast Asian countries joining BRICS. Discuss the strategic opportunities for Southeast Asian countries with the expansion of the BRICS.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

QUESTION 1: Discuss the significance of India’s bilateral visit to Russia amidst evolving global geopolitical dynamics.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— The Prime Minister of the Republic of India paid an official visit to Russia at the request of the President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.

— India’s ties with Russia date back seven decades. The visit to Russia is a signal of New Delhi’s commitment to its partnership with Moscow, as well as an emphasis on this foreign policy objective.

— The Indian Prime Minister last visited Russia in September 2019 for the Eastern Economic Forum meeting in Vladivostok; Putin’s last visit to India was in December 2021 for the annual bilateral summit.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Significance of India-Russia relations

— As India has expanded its partnerships in a multipolar world, the India-Russia relationship has stalled in certain sectors and weakened in others. Defence is by far the strongest component of the strategic alliance, with nuclear and space cooperation also playing a vital role.

— During the Cold War, the USSR was India’s primary supplier of defensive equipment, and it is claimed that 60 to 70 percent of India’s defence equipment is still Russian and Soviet in origin.

— Defence cooperation has developed from a buyer-seller model to one that includes cooperative R&D, co-development, and joint production.

— India and Russia have inked deals to deliver S-400 Triumf mobile surface-to-air missile systems, MiG-29 fighter planes, and Kamov helicopters, as well as licence manufacturing of T-90 tanks, Su-30MKI fighters, AK-203 assault weapons, and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. Admiral Gorshkov was the former Soviet and Russian vessel that serves as one of the Indian Navy’s two aircraft carriers, the INS Vikramaditya.

— P S Raghavan, chairman of India’s National Security Advisory Board and a former Indian Ambassador to Russia, wrote in 2022, “President Putin has said that Russia does not transfer to any other country the military technologies shared with India. This is an assurance that India must constantly verify in respect of the weaponry and technologies that Moscow supplies to Beijing, as also the nature of their intelligence-sharing arrangements.”

— Since the start of the crisis in Ukraine, India has purchased huge amounts of Russian oil at a discount to offset the inflationary impact of rising crude prices.

— The acquisition of Russian crude has increased bilateral trade volumes above estimates and aims. Prior to the war, the bilateral commerce objective was planned for $30 billion by 2025. However, bilateral commerce hit a record high of $65.70 billion in fiscal year 2023-24, according to Department of Commerce figures.

Conclusion:

— The war, however, has placed India in a sensitive diplomatic position with its Western allies. New Delhi has walked a diplomatic tightrope, not overtly opposing the Russian invasion but calling for an international investigation into the Bucha massacre in the early stages of the conflict, as well as voicing alarm about Russian leaders’ threats of nuclear war.

— India has refrained from voting against Russia on several UN Security Council resolutions.

— India’s primary concern, of course, will be its defence partnership with Russia and the Moscow-Beijing alliance, which is detrimental to Indian strategic interests. India’s visit aims to reinforce historical links between the two countries while ensuring that Beijing does not play a role in the relationship.

(Source: PM Modi’s first bilateral visit this term: Russia’s importance for India by Shubhajit Roy)

Points to Ponder

India-Russia bilateral visit

G7, NATO

Related Previous Year Questions

‘The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well for India.’ What is your opinion about this statement ? Give reasons and examples to support your answer. (2023)

What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (2020)

QUESTION 2: Evaluate the potential implications of Southeast Asian countries joining BRICS. Discuss the strategic opportunities for Southeast Asian countries with the expansion of the BRICS.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— BRICS — an acronym that was originally used to refer to Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — decided to expand its membership, inviting Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join the bloc last year.

— The name for the expanded group has not yet been officially announced, but it could be called “BRICS+.”

— BRICS is attracting Southeast Asian countries, with Thailand and Malaysia being the latest to express their interest in joining the bloc.

— The bloc has members from all over the world, but none from Southeast Asia yet.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Implications of Southeast Asian countries joining BRICS

— The bloc can help Malaysia’s digital economy grow more quickly by allowing it to engage with nations with strong digital markets while also benefiting from best practices from other members.

— Thailand would also be able to attract investment in key industries such as services, manufacturing, and agriculture.

— According to official figures, China has been Malaysia’s major commercial partner for the past 15 years and Thailand’s for the previous 11 years.

— Both of these Southeast Asian states joining BRICS “will strengthen their relationship with China.”

Strategic opportunities for Southeast Asian countries

— Thailand is unusual in that we are friendly with all countries and hostile to none. It can serve as a link between emerging nations and BRICS members.

— Aside from BRICS, Thailand has applied to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which has 38 predominantly Western members.

— According to a recent survey conducted by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, a Singaporean think tank, public mood in Malaysia is more favourable to China, the world’s second-largest economy after the United States.

— Malaysia and Thailand are not the only countries in Southeast Asia interested in joining BRICS. Apart from these two countries, Vietnam is also closely monitoring the process of BRICS membership expansion.

— Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia “could be potential applicants” because they already have strong links with China, India, and Russia, all of whom are significant BRICS participants.

— For Vietnam, which has made large investments, this would be an excellent opportunity to expand its commerce beyond its traditional markets into the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa.

Conclusion:

— The members of the BRICS grouping account for about 45% of the world’s population — around 3.5 billion people.

— The combined economies of the BRICS members are worth around $30 trillion (€28 trillion) — about 28% of the global economy, according to World Bank data.

(Source: Why are Southeast Asian countries looking to join BRICS?)

Points to Ponder

BRICS

Southeast Asian countries

What is BRICS + ?

Related Previous Year Questions

‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’ In the light of the above statement, point out the role of India in mitigating the problems. (2023)

Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South East Asian countries economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South-East Asia in this context. (2017)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 57)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 58)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 58)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 57)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 59)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 58)

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