UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on India-Qatar relations and India’s role in Africa (Week 91)

QUESTION 1

India and Qatar have a strong trade relationship, particularly in the energy sector. Analyse the significance of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports from Qatar for India’s energy security and economic growth.

QUESTION 2

India’s role in Africa is evolving beyond trade to include peacekeeping, capacity building, and infrastructure development. Critically examine how India can contribute to conflict resolution and sustainable development in Africa.

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 and Qatar have a strong trade relationship, particularly in the energy sector. Analyse the significance of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports from Qatar for India’s energy security and economic growth.

Introduction:

— The India-Qatar trade relationship has predominantly been fueled by India’s heavy imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), of which Doha is India’s largest supplier.

— The two countries are now attempting to double bilateral trade in the next five years, and LNG, or super-chilled gas, is expected to play a significant role in that effort.

Body:

— The predicted increase in imports would coincide with Qatar’s expansion of its LNG export capability. In reality, Qatar and the United States are the two primary areas expected to witness significant increases in LNG export capacity.

— During the recent state visit of Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, New Delhi and Doha agreed to quadruple bilateral trade to roughly $28 billion per year by 2030, as well as elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.

— According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), “trade, investment, and energy” were among the main themes discussed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Al-Thani. Both presidents also talked about measures to strengthen and broaden the energy partnership, including investigating mutual investments.

— India aspires to grow exports to Qatar and attract more investments from the West Asian country; nevertheless, the trade balance between the two countries remains severely skewed in Qatar’s favour, with LNG topping the list of New Delhi’s imports from Doha.

— LNG imports represented 50% of India’s total imports from Qatar in the first 11 months of 2024, at $11.49 billion. Notably, other major imports were fossil fuel-related commodities and goods such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), crude oil, plastics, and petrochemicals.

— The Indian government has set an ambitious objective of increasing natural gas’s proportion in the country’s primary energy mix to 15% by 2030, up from slightly more than 6% currently, which is expected to result in a substantial increase in LNG imports in the coming years. India is already a big LNG importer, with local natural gas meeting around half of its needs.

Conclusion:

— According to the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s natural gas consumption is expected to rise nearly 60% over 2023 levels to 103 billion cubic metres (bcm) by 2030, while LNG imports are expected to more than double between 2023 and 2030 to 65 bcm per year, driven by steady demand growth and a much slower rise in domestic production.

— “Between 2013 and 2023, India’s LNG imports climbed by 70%, reaching 36 billion cubic metres in 2024, matching the previous record established in 2020 and consolidating the country’s status as the world’s fourth-largest LNG importer. Looking ahead, India’s LNG demand is expected to continuously increase, reaching 64 bcm/year by 2030. According to a recent IEA estimate, this reflects an annual average growth rate of 11% from 2023 to 2030, which is twice the average rate observed in the previous ten years.

(Source: As India and Qatar eye trade expansion, why LNG’s centrality in bilateral trade is in focus by Sukalp Sharma)

Points to Ponder

Read more about LNG

India-Qatar recent developments

Trade between India and Qatar

Related Previous Year Questions

The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyse India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian countries. (2017)

Critically analyse India’s evolving diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations with the Central Asian Republics (CARs), highlighting their increasing significance in regional and global geopolitics. (2024)

QUESTION 2: India’s role in Africa is evolving beyond trade to include peacekeeping, capacity building, and infrastructure development. Critically examine how India can contribute to conflict resolution and sustainable development in Africa.

Introduction:

— The India-Africa alliance has the potential to expedite global rebalancing and empower the Global South.

— Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nigeria as part of a three-nation tour. The Prime Minister emphasised Nigeria’s potential as a significant hub for African growth. He also remarked that India had opened 18 new embassies in Africa over the previous five years, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening connections with the continent.

Body:

— Africa is the world’s second-largest continent, spanning approximately 30.3 million square kilometres, including adjacent islands. This accounts for around 20% of Earth’s land area and 6% of its total surface area.

— Africa is the continent with the lowest per capita wealth and the second-lowest total wealth, after Oceania. Geographic problems, climate change, colonialism, the Cold War’s legacy, neocolonialism, and corruption all contribute to this.

— Despite these problems, Africa has some of the fastest-growing economies, including Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Ghana. Economic growth, immense natural resources (such as oil, gas, minerals, and arable land), and a young population make Africa an economically important region for the world.

— Africa is one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, including unique ecosystems like savannas as well as diverse marine and freshwater habitats. However, this diverse biodiversity is under threat from a variety of environmental concerns, including desertification, deforestation, water scarcity, and pollution.

— The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has named Africa the most vulnerable continent due to its limited adaptation capacity, economic reliance on climate-sensitive sectors, and pervasive poverty.

Conclusion:

— The Vice President stated that a resurgent Africa and a rising India may significantly boost South-South collaboration, particularly in sectors such as clean technology, climate-resilient agriculture, marine security, connectivity, and the green economy.

— During COVID-19, India provided Africa with medical supplies and vaccines. India and Africa have robust defence connections, with the Indian military providing training and contributing the third-largest amount to peacekeeping operations. India has invested more than $12.37 billion in 206 infrastructure projects in 43 African countries, benefiting millions of people. India also offers capacity-building training and educational opportunities, demonstrating its commitment to the African Union’s aims.

(Source: India-Africa partnership a catalyst for accelerated global rebalancing, strengthening of the Global South, Conflicts in Africa | India’s growing role in Africa’s development)

Points to Ponder

India-Africa recent developments

Places in news in Africa

Related Previous Year Questions

“If the last few decades were Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be Africa’s.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years. (2021)

Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pro and cons. Critically examine. (2015)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 90)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 91)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 90)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 89)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 88)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 89 and 90)

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