UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 31)

QUESTION 2

What is the ‘2+2’ format of dialogue meetings? Discuss how the India-US 2+2 meetings have shifted the vision for India-US strategic partnership.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— An introduction 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 a trusted source and include authenticated 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 Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) is focused on improving governance for accelerated and inclusive human development. Discuss.

Introduction:

— The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) is one of the largest experiments on outcomes-focused governance in the world.

— ADP is Niti Aayog’s flagship initiative to improve health, nutrition, education, and economic outcomes.

— The programme is based on transforming 115 districts identified across 28 states in a timely and transparent manner.

Body:

— The structure of the programme is defined by three key elements:

(i) Convergence (of Central & State Schemes),

(ii) Collaboration (of Central, State-level ‘Prabhari’ Officers & District Collectors), and

(iii) Competition among districts.

— This initiative, which is primarily by and for the states, focuses on the strengths of each district and identifies the attainable outcomes for immediate improvement, all while measuring progress and ranking the selected districts.

— The Aspirational Districts Programme is a part of the government’s endeavour to raise the standard of living of its citizens and ensure inclusive development for all under the vision of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.’

— The programme focuses on increasing people’s ability to fully participate in a growing economy and maximising their potential. It also focuses on health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion and skill development, and basic infrastructure.

Conclusion:

— According to a statement issued by the PMO, “The Prime Minister recalled the development milestones achieved by the country since the last conference in June 2022, citing various instances like India attaining Presidency of G20, becoming fifth biggest economy of the world, rapid registration of new start-ups, foray of private players in space sector, launch of National Logistics Policy, approval of National Green Hydrogen Mission, among others.”

— It has also implemented non-financial incentives to encourage government officials to deliver results, and it actively encourages the formation of partnerships with philanthropies and civil society to achieve greater impact with the same budgetary resources.

(Source: Niti Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme is a laboratory for governance reform by Alok Kumar and Ronald Abraham, Aspirational Blocks Programme: Building blocks of Viksit Bharat by Parameswaran Iyer, niti.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Aspirational Blocks Programme

Related Previous Year Questions

e-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features? (2023)

“In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal.” Critically examine this statement. (2016)

QUESTION 2: What is the ‘2+2’ format of dialogue meetings? Discuss how the India-US 2+2 meetings have shifted the vision for India-US strategic partnership.

Introduction:

— The 2+2 dialogue is a format of meeting of the foreign and defence ministers of India and its allies on strategic and security issues.

— A 2+2 ministerial dialogue allows partners to better understand and appreciate each other’s strategic concerns and sensitivities while taking political factors on both sides into account, allowing them to build a stronger, more integrated strategic relationship in a rapidly changing global environment.

— India has 2+2 dialogues with four key strategic partners: the US, Australia, Japan, and Russia.

Body:

India-U.S 2+2 Ministerial dialogue

— The US is India’s oldest and most important 2+2 talks partner.

— The first 2+2 dialogue between the two countries was held during the Trump Administration in 2018. The second and third editions of the 2+2 dialogues were held in Washington DC and New Delhi in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

— The fourth ‘2+2’ dialogue between India and the United States was held in Washington DC in 2022. For the fifth 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met their US counterparts, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in New Delhi.

— The launch of the dialogue was seen as a “reflection of the shared commitment” by India and the US to provide “a positive, forward-looking vision for the India-US strategic partnership and to promote synergy in their diplomatic and security efforts”.

— The United States and India have signed a troika of “foundational pacts” for deep military cooperation, beginning with the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, followed by the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) following the first 2+2 dialogue in 2018, and finally the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020.

Conclusion:

— The strengthening of cooperation mechanisms between the two militaries is important in the context of an increasingly aggressive China, which threatens a large number of countries in its neighbourhood and beyond and has challenged several established norms and aspects of international relations.

— These meetings enables the partners to better understand and appreciate each other’s strategic concerns and sensitivities taking into account political factors on both sides, in order to build a stronger, more integrated strategic relationship in a rapidly changing global environment.

(Source: India holds ‘2+2’ Ministerial dialogue with the US: What it means, Explained: What is the ‘2+2’ format of dialogue between India and US?)

Points to Ponder

India-Australia 2+2

India-Japan 2+2

Related Previous Year Questions

How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics? (2022)

The new tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario. (2021)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 30)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 29)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 29)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 30)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 30)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 31)

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