UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice | GS 2 (Week 20)

— 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: The relationship between India and the Maldives is founded on tangible actions rather than hypothetical tales. Discuss

Introduction:

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

— A number of concerns, some dating back more than a decade, have come to the forefront of bilateral ties between India and the Maldives, notably in the run-up to this year’s presidential elections.

— The long-running dispute over the two Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALF) based in Addu Atoll and Hanimaadhoo, which were given to the Maldives by India in 2010 and 2015, respectively, and used for maritime weather surveillance, ocean search and rescue operations, and airlifting patients between islands.

Body:

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

— According to the terms of bilateral agreements between the two countries, Indian officers had been sent to the Maldives to train the Maldives National Defence Force, under whose command these helicopters operate.

— The Maldives asked India to return these helicopters in 2016 while the Yameen administration was in power, and they refused to extend the terms of the agreement that would have extended their stay and use in the nation. Domestic fervour against the perceived military presence of Indian forces in the country peaked at that time.

— In a report published in 2022, the World Bank has said that although the Maldives was not at immediate risk of a crisis, the country needs to raise revenues and implement several expenditure and debt reforms to avoid an economic crisis in the future.

— The relationship between India and Maldives is time immemorial, and the main foundation of the relationship is based on people to people contact that is both civilizational and traditional in nature.

— The fear and concern are exaggerated or unwarranted depends on several factors, including the nature and objectives of the various agreements concluded between our two countries during the past five years and how both countries wish to navigate their diplomatic relationship moving forward.

— According to the Maldives, “clear and open communication channels” between the two nations would be one method to do this and maybe restart bilateral relations.

— India and the Maldives allege that despite the campaign’s claim to be a protest against Indian military presence, the name “India Out” was taken as a personal attack on India. This had a domino effect on all facets of bilateral relations.

Conclusion:

You conclusion should be short and you many include:

— India undoubtedly plays a big influence in influencing security dynamics due to its size and strategic location in the Indian Ocean area. It is crucial to understand that collaboration and engagement among countries in the region are often more successful than exclusion or boycott in the context of cross-border and regional security as well as geopolitics.

— Therefore, encouraging communication, building confidence, and cooperating with India and other bilateral and multilateral partners would undoubtedly result in more secure regional dynamics.

(Source: Under President-Elect Mohamed Muizzu, the path forward in India-Maldives ties by Neha Banka)

Points to Ponder

Addu Atoll

Hanimaadhoo

Related Previous Year Question

India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)

QUESTION 2: How India-Israel ties progressed from Palestine-leaning to a strategic embrace of the Jewish nation?

Introduction:

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

— India’s political attitude towards Israel was set quite firmly shortly after independence in 1947, when Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi vowed to support the Palestinian cause as they rejected the idea of two nations on the basis of religion.

— Both the leaders, Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi were of the view that any State based on religious exclusivity could not sustain on moral and political grounds. This was in sync with their opposition to the partition of India.

— India’s position with regard to Palestine was also guided by the general consensus in the Arab world, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the United Nations.

Body:

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

— When the partition of Palestine plan was presented to a vote at the UN, India, along with the Arab nations, voted against it. India voted once more against Israel’s membership to the UN. New Delhi, on the other hand, acknowledged Israel on September 17, 1950, following the lead of two Muslim-majority nations, Turkey and Iran. Israel was granted permission to build a consulate in Mumbai in 1953, but no diplomatic representation was authorised in New Delhi.

— India strengthened its relationship with Al Fatah, the major political party within the PLO, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) emerged as the official representation of the Palestinian people under Yasser Arafat.

— On January 10, 1975, India recognised PLO as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and permitted it an independent office at New Delhi.

— India was one of the last non-Muslim states to recognise Israel, it became the first non-Arab state to recognise the PLO.

— In 1980, when Indira Gandhi returned to power with a thumping majority, she continued her support to the Palestinian struggle. India upgraded the PLO office to that of an embassy endowed with all diplomatic immunities and privileges.

— Rajiv Gandhi kept up India’s support for Palestine, and with the start of the Palestinian intifada (uprising) in December 1987 in Gaza and the West Bank as a result of Israel’s “iron fist” tactics, India remained unwavering in its commitment.

— The Arab countries’ neutral position during the 1962 India-China war and their support to Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars. On the other hand, Israel helped India with arms and ammunition in the 1962 and 1965 wars.

Military ties and the Kargil war

— The establishment of full diplomatic relations with Israel was notably useful during the Kargil conflict in 1999. Because Pakistani invaders were sheltering in caves and bunkers atop mountains near Kargil, the Indian Air Force sorely required precise target bombs. The IAF reached out to their Israeli counterparts, who responded quickly. They are said to have dipped into their emergency stocks and transferred the weaponry to India, which proved pivotal in the hour of need.

Conclusion:

You conclusion should be short and you many include:

— The Indian strategic approach to engage with all sides in the complex West Asian region is born out of necessity: the 90 lakh-strong Indian community in the region and connectivity to West Asia and Europe. Crucially, more than 50% of India’s energy imports are sourced from West Asia.

(Source: How India-Israel ties progressed: from Palestine-leaning to a strategic embrace of the Jewish nation by Shubhajit Roy)

Points to Ponder

Why is Israel an attractive destination for Indian caregivers?

Who are Hamas?

How did Hamas gain political power?

Related Previous Year Questions

India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (2018)

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

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 18)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 19)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 19)

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

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 19)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 20)

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