UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on emerging ‘G2’ framework and significance of ASEAN for India (Week 127)

QUESTION 1

The emerging “G2” framework between the United States and China alters India’s strategic calculus in the Indo-Pacific. Discuss how India should recalibrate its foreign policy to respond to this changing power structure.

QUESTION 2

“ASEAN forms a critical pillar of India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.” Discuss the significance of ASEAN for India in terms of economic, strategic, and regional connectivity dimensions.

General points on the structure of the answers for UPSC Mains

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: The emerging “G2” framework between the United States and China alters India’s strategic calculus in the Indo-Pacific. Discuss how India should recalibrate its foreign policy to respond to this changing power structure.

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

Introduction:

— With a tweet in all caps — “THE G2 WILL BE CONVENING SHORTLY” — United States President Donald Trump declared for the record a power shift that has been long in the making.

— It was in 2005 that American economist Fred Bergsten published a book titled The United States and the World Economy in which he proposed the idea that the US and China could “be a caucus of two” that could together work to ensure “sustained recovery of the global economy”.

— The idea was quickly picked up to suggest that the two leading and dominant economies of the West and the East could in fact constitute a geo-economic condominium that would help manage the world economy.

Body:

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

— It was the Trans-Atlantic Financial Crisis (TAFC) of 2008-09, popularly referred to as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), that gave further currency to the idea. American politicians and strategists like Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezinski pushed the idea forward.

— Two consequences of TAFC were that it contributed to a shrinking of the trans-Atlantic economies, especially the US, Britain, Germany, Italy and France, and to an increase in China’s share of world income and trade. More importantly, China came to the rescue of the world economy, helping both the US and EU bounce back from the 2009 crisis. It had initially done so in its neighbourhood, rescuing Thailand and Indonesia after the 1998 Asian financial crisis. In 2009 it was, in fact, bailing out the world’s biggest economy.

— Returning to office, Trump went back to his initial strategy of pursuing a “trade war”, not just against China but against the rest of the world. That strategy seems to have run its course. While allies like the European Union and Japan fell in line, Brazil, China and India have stood their ground. It is China’s ability to not only stand firm but to in fact retaliate that seems to have finally put paid to Trump’s trade war.

— The revival of the G2 idea also stands in contrast to Trump’s disinterest in the G20.

How should India recalibrate its foreign policy to respond to this changing power structure?

— In his outlining of the foreign policy agenda of the Indian government, in the book The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World (2020), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India’s policy of multi-alignment would require it to “engage America, manage China, cultivate Europe, reassure Russia, bring Japan into play, draw neighbours in, extend the neighbourhood and expand traditional constituencies of support”.

— The Indian government has so far adapted well to the new global strategic environment, refusing to kowtow to Trump, but demonstrating enormous patience in “managing” him. Any return to “engagement” will depend on the success of the efforts to “manage”. Equally, it would depend on how well India engages and manages other interlocutors, especially its Asian neighbours, near and afar.

— It should be clear to any Indian strategist and security analyst that in the near term, India’s standing in the world will depend vitally on its standing within Asia. There was a time when it was believed in New Delhi that a good equation with Washington, DC would in turn facilitate improved equations around the world — in Europe, Eurasia and Asia.

Conclusion:

— India is in good stead in dealing with the West — both the US and Europe. At Kuala Lumpur, Jaishankar reflected on the way forward with a hopeful and reassuring observation: “Change has a life of its own. And the world will inevitably respond to new circumstances.

— Adjustments will be made. Calculations will come into play, fresh understandings will be forged, new opportunities will emerge and resilient solutions will be devised.” Clearly, a new “India Way” forward is needed.

(Source: Trump has announced G2 – with China. What should India do)

Points to Ponder

Read about India’s relation with US and China

What is G2 and what will be its implications on India?

Related Previous Year Questions

“The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance.” Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard. (2025)

‘The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and strategically to counter China’s political and economic dominance.’ Explain this statement with examples. (2024)

QUESTION 2: “ASEAN forms a critical pillar of India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.” Discuss the significance of ASEAN for India in terms of economic, strategic, and regional connectivity dimensions.

(AP)

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

Introduction:

— The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits concluded in Kuala Lumpur. ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a grouping of 11 countries — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the recently added East Timor or Timor Leste.

— On 8 August 1967, five leaders – the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – came together in Bangkok. Thailand was brokering some disputes among Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, and it eventually led to the signing of a document.

— ASEAN is the “central pillar” of India’s Act East Policy and the country fully supports the group’s centrality and outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

Body:

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

How is ASEAN significant for India?

— When the foundation for ASEAN was laid in 1967 with five countries, it was basically a political organisation to combat the rise of communism. But after that, it has grown into a crucial economic entity and an important security player. Intra-trade in ASEAN, at between 25 and 30%, is second only to the European Union. In that respect, it is a very successful regional economic organisation.

— It is geopolitically significant for India. The region it is located in frequently sees turbulence because of China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and the East China Sea.

— There is the fact that the centre of gravity of the global economy is shifting from the transatlantic towards the Indo-Pacific, and this is right where ASEAN is situated. About 40-50% of India’s trade is conducted through that region.

— All the countries in this grouping are rapidly growing economies, making it a very dynamic market.

— ASEAN has emerged as a significant player on the global stage because all the countries tend to speak with one voice.

— The region is important for us for connectivity. The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway aims to connect Moreh in Manipur through Myanmar to Mae Sot in Thailand. There is the multi-modal Kaladan project, which aims to connect India’s Northeast to the sea via the Sittwe port in Myanmar. There is also an agreement on sustainable tourism between India and ASEAN.

— India has deep historical and civilisational linkages with these countries. For decades, we could not build upon them because of the Cold War, but as part of the the Look East policy of 1992, upgraded to Act East in 2014, this is now a crucial area of focus.

Conclusion:

— The group does have internal challenges. ASEAN has been unable to act in any meaningful way on the democratic backsliding in the member state Myanmar. Also, it has failed to counter China’s claims in the South China Sea.

— The lesson for India is to give greater energy and focus on groups that don’t have Pakistan — and on the trade front, China — and keep up engagement consistently. From trade to manufacturing to services to technology to fintech, there are many areas in which India can come to the aid of smaller economies.

(Source: ASEAN summit concludes: What the group means for India)

Points to Ponder

Read more about ASEAN

What are the other groupings in this region?

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 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 3 (Week 126)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 127)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 126)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 125)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 125)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 126)

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