UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on strategic significance of the Indian Ocean region and India-New Zealand relations (Week 94)

QUESTION 1

Examine the evolution of India-Mauritius relations, focusing on the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean region. How have initiatives like Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) influenced this bilateral relationship?

QUESTION 2

Evaluate how India’s recent initiatives to enhance defence and trade relations with countries like New Zealand reflect its broader foreign policy objectives.

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: Examine the evolution of India-Mauritius relations, focusing on the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean region. How have initiatives like Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) influenced this bilateral relationship?

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

Introduction:

— Given their shared history, language, culture, heritage, kinship, and ideals, India and Mauritius have a particular and unique relationship.

— During the bilateral meeting, the leaders acknowledged that Mauritius-India ties, founded on people-to-people and cultural exchanges, have grown over the last several decades into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that benefits both countries, their people, and the larger Indian Ocean Region.

— India has always been Mauritius’ main security provider and leading development partner.

Body:

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

— Mauritius, placed strategically in the southern Indian Ocean, constitutes a vital region with Madagascar, the Comoros, Réunion, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka in which India establishes itself as the dominant partner.

— Mauritius used to benefit from its links with the United States and France, but given India’s growing strategic alignment with both countries in the Indian Ocean, such tactics are becoming increasingly constrained.

— Mauritius, as the host of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Secretariat, is an important player in regional cooperation. India has stated that its engagement with Mauritius will be upgraded to a comprehensive strategic relationship, and SAGAR will be renamed MAHASAGAR, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.

— Trade for development, capacity building for long-term progress, and mutual security for a common future will all benefit the area. Mauritius is now bound by IORA, the Indian Ocean Commission, and the Colombo Security Conclave as well.

— Over the last decade, India has provided more than $1.1 billion in development assistance, including $750 million in lines of credit and the remaining in grants. Indian-backed infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives have had a considerable impact on Mauritius, notably the continuing metro project, the Supreme Court building, the Civil Service College, and the implementation of computers and tablets in schools.

— India has played a crucial role in developing the Mauritian Coast Guard and continues to enhance its support in response to Mauritius’s growing interest in exploiting its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and blue economy.

Conclusion:

— India recognises that countries are free to retain trade links with China for their own development. However, New Delhi expects such agreements to maintain a level playing field for Indian firms and not pose strategic challenges, considering India’s interest in the whole IOR.

— India’s visit was a strategic move to demonstrate its commitment to its main maritime partner in the Indian Ocean. As the geopolitical landscape changes, strengthening Indo-Mauritian connections will be critical.

— Both countries may strengthen their historical relationship and develop a long-term alliance by strengthening cooperation in infrastructure, defence, economic growth, and cultural exchange.

(Source: From SAGAR to MAHASAGAR, the growing warmth in Indo-Mauritian ties by Gurjit Singh, http://www.mea.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Other developments between India and Mauritius

Chagos archipelago

Related Previous Year Questions

Discuss the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of the Maldives for India with a focus on global trade and energy flows. Further, discuss how this relationship affects India’s maritime security and regional stability amidst international competition. (2024)

‘Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos’ Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) in protecting the environment and enhancing maritime safety and security. (2023)

QUESTION 2: Evaluate how India’s recent initiatives to enhance defence and trade relations with countries like New Zealand reflect its broader foreign policy objectives.

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

Introduction:

— India and New Zealand embrace a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. Both sides decided to strengthen and institutionalise defence and security partnership and that a roadmap will be prepared for cooperation in the defence industry sector.

— India signed a defence cooperation contract with New Zealand—a partner of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance—and agreed to boost up discussions to enhance marine safety.

Body:

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

— Both leaders praised the signing of the India-New Zealand Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation. This will further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and establish regular bilateral defence engagement.

— India and New Zealand acknowledged the need for safeguarding the safety and security of sea routes of communication and agreed there has to be ongoing conversation to explore enhancement of maritime safety.

— Prime Minister Modi also referred to India and New Zealand deciding to start negotiations for a mutually beneficial free-trade pact. This will improve the possibility of mutual commerce and investment. Mutual cooperation and investment would be fostered in fields like dairy, food processing, and pharma.

— According to the joint statement, the prime ministers welcomed sustained trade and investment flows between India and New Zealand and called for further exploring the potential to expand bilateral trade. They encouraged businesses on both sides to cultivate links; explore emerging economic and investment opportunities to build upon the complementarities of the two economies.

— The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $873.4 million (exports $538.33 million and imports $335 million) in 2023-24 as against $1.02 billion in 2022-23.

Conclusion:

— New Zealand applauded India’s membership in the Combined Maritimes Forces, as well as the progress made in defence ties while New Zealand was in command of Command Task Force 150.

— The two countries have agreed to work on developing an agreement to address the issue of illegal migration and facilitate the mobility of skilled workers. The Indian community residing in New Zealand is contributing positively to the economic and social development.

(Source: India and New Zealand sign defence cooperation pact, agree to step up maritime safety after Modi meets PM Christopher Luxon by Shubhajit Roy, India, New Zealand announce resumption of FTA talks)

Points to Ponder

Major export and import between India and New Zealand

Read about free trade agreement with other countries

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)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 94)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 92)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 92)

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