UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on India’s outreach in reshaping the global discourse of the Global South and NATO (Week 109)

QUESTION 1

India has sought to position itself as the ‘voice’ of the Global South through bilateral visits, multilateral forums, and initiatives.” Discuss the effectiveness of India’s outreach in reshaping the global discourse of the Global South.

QUESTION 2

In the wake of increased defence spending commitments within NATO, discuss how member nations like Germany are balancing collective security obligations with strategic autonomy.

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.

QUESTION 1: India has sought to position itself as the ‘voice’ of the Global South through bilateral visits, multilateral forums, and initiatives.” Discuss the effectiveness of India’s outreach in reshaping the global discourse of the Global South.

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

Introduction:

— The Indian Prime Minister will travel to Africa and South America before attending the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

— The visit to Ghana will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister in three decades. The summit will evaluate the bilateral relationship and explore how to strengthen it through economic, energy, defence, and development cooperation.

Body:

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

Effectiveness of India’s outreach in reshaping the global discourse of the Global South

Ghana

— Ghana is one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies; its relationship with India is marked by robust and expanding trade and investment. India is the largest destination for Ghanaian exports; gold accounts for more than 70% of India’s imports from Ghana.

Trinidad and Tobago

— Trinidad and Tobago is home to 40-45% of the Caribbean’s Indian diaspora, including Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and President Christine Carla Kangaloo. This will be Modi’s first visit to Trinidad and Tobago as Prime Minister, and the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister since 1999.

Argentina

— The meeting will assess ongoing collaboration and discuss strategies to strengthen collaborations in defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, and energy, among other areas. The two presidents met before on the fringes of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024.

— India and Argentina have made tremendous progress in their bilateral collaboration in the mineral resources sector, particularly in lithium, which is essential to India’s shift to green energy. Argentina is a major exporter of sunflower and soybean oil to India. In 2024, India was Argentina’s fifth-largest commercial partner and export market.

Brazil

— The Prime Minister will speak at BRICS about global governance reform, peace and security, multilateralism, responsible AI use, climate action, global health, and other issues.

— During the State Visit, the Prime Minister will fly to Brasilia to undertake bilateral discussions with President Lula on strengthening the Strategic Partnership in areas of common interest such as trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, and healthcare. Brazil is India’s most important trading partner in South America.

Namibia

— Bilateral trade increased from less than $3 million in 2000 to about $600 million today. Indian corporations have made investments in Namibia’s mining, manufacturing, diamond processing, and services sectors.

— The PM released eight cheetahs from Namibia to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh in September 2022, marking the world’s first intercontinental transfer of a large carnivore species.

(Source: Explained: In PM Modi’s diplomatic tour, India’s outreach to the Global South)

Points to Ponder

Read about relations between India and African countries

Read about BRICS

Related Previous Year Questions

Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation? (2022)

‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. (2020)

QUESTION 2: In the wake of increased defence spending commitments within NATO, discuss how member nations like Germany are balancing collective security obligations with strategic autonomy.

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

Introduction:

— NATO struck a historic agreement: member states would increase their collective defence spending commitment to 5% of their individual GDP.

— This ambitious new standard represents NATO’s recalibrated strategic posture in the face of escalating global challenges. The contribution is divided into two essential domains: 3.5% will assist core defence aligned with NATO Capability Targets, while the remaining 1.5% will improve infrastructure resilience, cyber defence, innovation, and preparedness.

Body:

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

— While several nations, including Spain and Slovakia, have expressed concern about the rapid escalation, Germany has taken the lead by announcing a record increase in military spending. Germany has vowed to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2029, up from 2.4% in 2025, marking its most substantial rearmament effort since reunification.

— For years, Germany and others fell short of NATO’s previous 2% commitment. It did not cross the threshold until 2024.

— With rising geopolitical volatility caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine, growing Chinese aggressiveness, and Middle Eastern instability, NATO leaders have called for a structural rethink, despite the fact that these issues are not mentioned in the five-paragraph declaration.

— Germany’s new defence framework outlines a transformational goal. Defence spending is expected to increase from €86 billion in 2025 (2.4 percent of GDP) to roughly €153 billion by 2029 (3.5 percent). These are Germany’s largest military allocations in peacetime.

— To finance this change, Germany has adopted a number of daring fiscal measures. It has suspended its constitutional “debt brake,” which previously restricted deficit expenditure, and is requesting an EU exemption under the Stability and Growth Pact to categorise defence spending as extraordinary investment. This permits Germany to borrow more than the standard 1% of GDP limit.

— Germany’s plan also reflects NATO’s broader understanding of security. It will spend heavily on military-relevant infrastructure, such as digital systems, transportation corridors, logistical centres, and dual-use facilities, in accordance with NATO’s new 5% framework. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has actively advocated for dual-purpose infrastructure, citing it as critical to national and alliance stability.

Conclusion:

— Germany’s declaration sends a strong signal to both allies and rivals. It responds to NATO’s desire for increased burden-sharing and indicates a more robust German posture in Europe and beyond. However, implementation is critical.

(Source: As NATO revises defence-spending goals, Germany arms up to position itself as the backbone of European security)

Points to Ponder

Read about NATO

Read about India-Germany relations

Read about India-European Union trade

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)

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times Discuss. (2020)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 108)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 109)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 108)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 107)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 108)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 107)

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