UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice | GS 2 (Week 18)

QUESTION 1

What led to the India-Canada standoff? Discuss the links and linkages that will raise worries about economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

QUESTION 2

China and the Philippines have been at odds in the South China Sea over the Scarborough Shoal. How will the result of the South China Sea scenario affect India?

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.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: What led to the India-Canada standoff? Discuss the links and linkages that will raise worries about economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about India-Canada.

— India and Canada are dealing with an unprecedented diplomatic crisis, which can have political as well as geopolitical consequences.

What led to the standoff?

— It started after Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dropped a bombshell allegation, telling Parliament that it is possible the Indian government had a hand in the murder of a Khalistani separatist in Canada in June.

— The Ministry of External Affairs called Trudeau’s accusation “absurd and motivated”. It said he had made similar allegations during his meeting with the PM, which had been “completely rejected”.

— The first action was taken by Canada, which expelled an Indian diplomat stationed in Ottawa. The official has been recognised as the chief of India’s intelligence service, and his identity has been revealed. In response, India expelled a Canadian diplomat stationed in New Delhi.

— Following that, India issued a travel alert for Indian nationals visiting Canada, as well as a warning to the Indian community in Canada. Students, professionals, and visitors were warned to be wary since the Indian population might be targeted, according to the alert.

(Source: The India-Canada standoff: What led to it, the problems it raises by Shubhajit Roy)

Body:

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

— The connections between the two countries are old and deep, and Canada is home to more Sikhs as a percentage of the national population than even India. Here are five highlights of India’s relations with Canada:

1. Canada accounts for 0.56 per cent of the total FDI in India.

2. Canada is home to 5.26 per cent of overseas Indians.

3. Every 7th Indian student studying abroad is in Canada.

4. Canada is the fourth largest source of tourists in India (based on 2021 figures).

5. Bilateral trade with Canada accounts for only 0.70% of India’s total trade.

— The balance of trade is in India’s favour, and Canada is among the few countries with which India has a trade surplus.

Conclusion:

— In 2022-23, India’s exports to Canada stood at $4,109.74 million, which exceeded its imports ($4,051.29 million) from the country — leaving a trade surplus of $58.45 million.

— The top five Indian imports from Canada are Coking coal, Potassium chloride, Lentils, Newsprint and wood pulp.

— Canada was India’s 35th biggest trading partner country. India has higher bilateral trade with smaller countries like Nepal ($8,855.61 million) and Taiwan ($10,901.77 million).

(Source: India-Canada ties in numbers: 5 key indicators on immigration, trade and more by Harikishan Sharma)

Related Previous Year Questions

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

In what ways would the ongoing U.S-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation? (2018)

QUESTION 2: China and the Philippines have been at odds in the South China Sea over the Scarborough Shoal. How will the result of the South China Sea scenario affect India?

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about the South China Sea.

— The South China Sea is situated just south of the Chinese mainland and is bordered by the countries of Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

— For decades, the countries have fought over territorial control in the sea, but tensions have reached unprecedented heights in recent years.

— The South China Sea is one of the most strategically critical maritime areas and China eyes its control to assert more power over the region.

— The US has involved in the situation to confront China’s bold territorial claims and to preserve its own political and economic interests. It has strengthened its military activities and naval presence in South Asia, as well as given weaponry and assistance to China’s adversaries.

(Source: China-Philippines tussle: Everything you need to know about the South China Sea dispute by Alind Chauhan)

Body:

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

Why in News?

— The Philippine coast guard has demolished a floating barrier installed by China’s coast guard to keep Filipino fishing vessels from entering a disputed area in the South China Sea.

— The 300-metre-long barrier was built in the Scarborough Shoal, roughly 200 kilometres off the coast of the Philippines. The country said the blockade violated international law and violated its sovereignty.

Map of the South China Sea, with “nine-dash line” highlighted in green. (Source: Wikimedia Commons/US Central Intelligence Agency)

Importance of the South China Sea for India

— The South China Sea is not China’s sea but a global common and it has been an important sea-lane of communication since the very beginning, and passage has been unimpeded over the centuries.

— The South China Marine is an important waterway, with over $5 trillion in trade passing through its marine lanes. According to published data, almost 55% of India’s commerce travels through the South China Sea and the Malacca Straits.

— Indians have sailed these waters for well over 1,500 years — there is ample historical and archaeological proof of a continuous Indian trading presence from Kedah in Malaysia to Quanzhou in China.

— Nearly $200 billion of our trade passes through the South China Sea and thousands of our citizens study, work and invest in ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Conclusion:

— Strategic alliances and high-level contacts are crucial, and ASEAN anticipates longer-term commitments from India in the future.

— For the last 40 years, the Indo-Pacific has thrived under American hegemony, not only because of their massive investments — $328.8 billion in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) alone, and another $107 billion in China.

(Source: How the South China Sea situation plays out will be critical for India’s security by Vijay Gokhale)

Points to Ponder

Islands in South China Sea

Nine-dash line

Related Previous Year Questions

The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain. (2021)

With respect to the South China sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China. (2014)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 16)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 17)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 17)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 16)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 17)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 18)

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