UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 : Questions on India-Bhutan relations and role of Attorney General of India (Week 128)

QUESTION 1

The bilateral relationship between Bhutan and India has deep historical roots and has evolved in response to changing regional and global dynamics. How Bhutan’s strategic cooperation with India — in areas such as hydro-power, security and diplomacy — has strengthened this relationship.

QUESTION 2

The office of the Attorney General of India (AGI) plays a unique role in the Indian polity. Discuss how AGI strengthens constitutional governance in India.

General points on the structure of the answers for UPSC Mains

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: The bilateral relationship between Bhutan and India has deep historical roots and has evolved in response to changing regional and global dynamics. How Bhutan’s strategic cooperation with India — in areas such as hydro-power, security and diplomacy — has strengthened this relationship.

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

Introduction:

— India and Bhutan share unique and exemplary bilateral relations, which are based on mutual trust, goodwill and understanding. Formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968. The basic framework of India-Bhutan relations is the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 between the two countries.

— Recently, the Indian Prime Minister was in Bhutan to attend the 70th birthday celebrations of the fourth king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, popularly known as K4.

Body:

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

— In his tenure of over 30 years, K4 interacted with 12 Indian Prime Ministers, from Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi to Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Dr Manmohan Singh, till he abdicated the throne in 2006 for his son. He also took the bold step of converting the hereditary monarchy to a constitutional monarchy and turning Bhutan into a democracy by 2008.

— Jigme Singye Wangchuck was the Chairman of the Planning Commission in 1971, which planned and coordinated Bhutan’s five-year plans. These plans had been launched with the help of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1961, modelled on India’s Five-year Plans. His first official role not only gave him an exposure to governance, it also made him understand the Indian government’s financial support and the intricacies of the discussions on hydro-power projects then underway between the two countries.

— The cooperation of Bhutan with India on hydro-power projects has proved a success for both countries. Here are few projects that were signed between Indian and Bhutan:

(i) The 336-MW power project in Chukha was signed in 1974 and was inaugurated in October 1988.

(ii) 60 MW Kurichhu Hydropower project, which helped power-scarce eastern Bhutan and exported surplus power to India.

(iii) Tala Hydropower (1,020 MW) project

— The role of Bhutan was crucial in security cooperation with India in flushing out militants from Bhutanese soil in 2003-04. India provided logistical support to the Bhutanese troops to dismantle the militant camps, marked a watershed in bilateral security cooperation.

— India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 2007 upgraded the 1949 India-Bhutan Treaty of Friendship to reflect modern realities. The 1949 treaty had said that Bhutan would be guided by India in conducting its external affairs. Bhutan’s democratic transition paved the way to replace this clause with a modern mutual-cooperation framework in the 2007 agreement.

Conclusion:

— India and Bhutan are connected not only by boundaries, but also by cultures. Our partnership is based on values, emotions, harmony, and progress,” stated the Indian Prime Minister. Recalling his first international visit to Bhutan after taking office in 2014, the Prime Minister expressed that the memories of that trip still make him emotional. He emphasised the strength and richness of India-Bhutan relations, pointing out that both nations have stood together in times of adversity, overcome challenges together, and are now moving forward on the path of progress and prosperity.

— Connectivity creates opportunity, and creates prosperity. India and Bhutan are also working to strengthen connectivity, which will greatly improve access for Bhutanese enterprises and farmers to India’s vast market.

(Source: K4: Old friend of India, Bhutan’s guiding hand, http://www.mea.gov.in, http://www.pib.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Read more about India-Bhutan Infrastructure development

Read about historical and cultural connect between India and Bhutan

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)

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: The office of the Attorney General of India (AGI) plays a unique role in the Indian polity. Discuss how AGI strengthens constitutional governance in India.

Senior advocate R Venkataramani (Credit: lloydlawcollege.edu.in)

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

Introduction:

— Article 76(2) of the Constitution says “it shall be the duty of the Attorney-General to give advice to the Government of India upon such legal matters, and to perform such other duties of a legal character, as may from time to time be referred or assigned to him by the President”.

— The A-G is also supposed to “discharge the functions conferred on him by or under this Constitution or any other law for the time being in force”.

— Under Article 88, the “Attorney-General of India shall have the right to speak in, and otherwise to take part in the proceedings of, either House, any joint sitting of the Houses, and any committee of Parliament of which he may be named a member”. However, he “shall not by virtue of this article be entitled to vote” in the House.

Body:

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

— The AGI post was formed by the Indian Constitution and went into effect when it was adopted in 1950. This assured that the newly established government had access to competent legal advice. In doing so, the Constitution places the AGI in a unique position that allows for engagement with all three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial.

— The AGI is assisted by the Solicitor General and Additional Solicitors General in all functions, although only the office of AGI is constitutionally created. The AGI and Solicitor General have also been given the authority to grant or deny approval to contempt of court proceedings against individuals who make contentious remarks against sitting judges.

— While the courts may initiate Contempt of Court proceedings suo motu without the AGI’s consent, a private person can only initiate contempt proceedings with the written consent of the AGI. Thus, the AGI functions as a gatekeeper against frivolous contempt actions, balancing judicial dignity with the right to free speech and fair criticism.

— In some public interest circumstances, the AGI office might directly request that the court commence proceedings.

— The AGI is a significant advisory and representative body for the union government. In his advising position, the AGI advises the government on legal issues referred or assigned to him by the President. In addition, the AGI represents the government in all Supreme Court and High Court disputes as needed.

— The AGI also represents the government’s position before the Supreme Court in any references made by the President under Article 143.

Conclusion:

— The AGI has high regard and privileges; nonetheless, the framers of the Constitution imposed several restrictions to guarantee impartiality and avoid conflicts of interest.

— Because the AGI is not a full-time government employee, he or she may practise law privately, subject to the limits outlined above. The AGI is not part of the Union Cabinet.

(Source: How Attorney General remains central to the functioning of the Indian Republic, What are the functions of the Attorney General for India?)

Points to Ponder

Read more about the Attorney General

Read about other important constitutional posts

Related Previous Year Questions

The Attorney General of India plays a crucial role in guiding the legal framework of the Union Government and ensuring sound governance through legal counsel.” Discuss his responsibilities, rights and limitations in this regard. (2025)

Who are entitled to receive free legal aid? Assess the role of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in rendering free legal aid in India. (2023)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 128)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 127)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 126)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 127)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 127)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 126)

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