Please check out the Job description, responsibilities, and experience required before applying. Freshers are also encouraged to apply.
Civilsdaily has become a force to reckon with. With our bold initiatives and maturing innovations, we are pushing the boundaries even further constantly thinking about bettering the learning outcomes for so many students.
We are inviting applications for the job of a Faculty at Civilsdaily for all UPCS GS subjects.
Job Description:
We are looking for a self-motivated and talented Lecturer. In this position, you will be delivering lectures for UPSC GS subjects like Economics and International Relations, Polity, History and Culture, Science Tech, etc. Please read the responsibilities and requirements below. If you feel that you fit the bill then apply using the form below and we would love to have a chat with you!
Responsibilities:
Will be responsible for UPSC GS subject Lectures like Economics and International Relations, Polity, History, and culture, Science Tech, etc.
Current Affairs Development these GS subjects will also be covered in lectures.
The job is offline, so, Delhi-based profiles are needed.
Skills Required:
Strong, versatile, and effective Verbal skills
Able to deliver Lectures in easy to understand manner with innovations to help students grasp concepts faster
Command in the subjects you will be teaching.
Well-versed with Current affairs.
Good organizational, planning, and coordination skills
Ability to multi-task and re-prioritize as needed
Experience requirement:
The minimum level of experience required is UPSC Interview.
If you are a graduating/postgraduate in those subjects, then that would be an advantage.
Please share the links/recorded video of your lectures (mandatory)
To apply, please click on the link below and fill out the form:
Book your slot for UPSC Mock interviews (paneled by ex UPSC members) and get a dedicated mentor, on-call DAF analysis, DAF-based personalized questionnaire, and Situational questionnaire (FREE) | Call @ 8668582260
Detailed Application Form (DAF) is one of the most important documents that you might have filled for UPSC interviews. A major part of the interview will revolve around the information and details provided in the DAF. It is more than your CV.
Your ability to defend your DAF before the panel is going to decide your success. Anticipating and preparing for the questions based on your DAF is an essential part of the interview preparation.
Recently, the Finance Minister has stressed upon the need to increase capital expenditure by both public sector as well as private sector.
This is in order to improve the economic growth and invigorate demand in the country.
Why increase CAPEX?
As per the various studies, capital expenditure has a multiplier effect of 2.45 in the short term and 4.8 in the long term.
This means that a single rupee spent on capital expenditure has the potential to add Rs 2.45 in the short term and Rs 4.8 in the long term to the overall economy.
What is multiplier effect in economy?
The multiplier effect is an economic term, referring to the proportional amount of increase, or decrease, in final income that results from an injection, or withdrawal, of capital.
In effect, it measures the impact that a change in economic activity—like investment or spending—will have on the total economic output of something.
Amount of Capital Expenditure in this year Budget
The budget for 2022-23 has proposed a hike of 24.47% in capital expenditure, amounting to almost Rs 7.5 Lakh Crore.
If grants in aid for the creation of capital assets (including MGNREGA assets) are included in the capital expenditure, the effective capital expenditure increases to Rs 10.68 Lakh Crore.
This is 27% more than the capital expenditure of Rs 8.4 Lakh Crore in 2021-22.
Similar Provisions in the Budget
Due to COVID-induced economic slowdown, the Union government has relaxed various provisions related to expenditure.
For e.g. the Borrowing limit for the states has been enhanced to 4% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
The government has allowed Rs 2 Lakh Crore for States and Autonomous bodies for capital expenditure.
Need for Increase in Capital Expenditure
Pandemic: As mentioned above, COVID-induced lockdown has resulted in closure of industries for an extended period of time.
Crowding-in private investment: There is a need to crowd-in private investment through direct investment and signalling through favorable policy interventions by the government in the Economy.
Shortfall in Tax Revenues: The pandemic has led to a decrease in the realization of tax revenues due to a fall in demand as well as temporary closure of industries. This can be countered by sustained investment by the government, providing the necessary boost to animal spirits within the Economy.
Benefits of Capital Expenditure: Capital Expenditure has various effects on the Economy of a country including creating capacity and increasing supply, increasing employment generation and rise in wages, in turn, stimulating demand for the goods and services and attracting FDI.
Supplementary fundings: The increased allocations would be available for investment in PM Gati Shakti Plan and its associated initiatives. The funds can also be used for supplementary funding in projects like PM Gram Sadak Yojana.
Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure: These funds under will also be used to encourage the government to undertake reforms for increasing the development in the States. The associated sectors include digitization of the Economy, including digital payments, and reform in areas like town planning, transit oriented development, building bylaws and transferable development rights.
Conclusion
Overall, this budget aims to create a long-term multiplier effect by focusing its resources and capital in the right direction.
In future years, the government will need to stay the course set today, as the impact of these initiatives will be seen in the long term.
Our Hall of Fame boasts of nearly 150 aspirants who have cleared the exam as working professionals. This year, our Civilsdaily students — Vaibhav Rawat (AIR 25) and Ravi Kumar (AIR 84) worked really hard in their respective jobs and studied before they tasted success. This busts the myth that only full-time aspirants can clear the exam.
Cracking UPSC is an art of excellence & can be achieved even by improving 1% a day. All it wants are will and effort, methodical practice and ultimate guidance.
Our step-by-step 5-hour learning strategy enabled them to justifynot only ‘how to avoid errors in prelims’ but also ‘how to introduce and conclude the answer in mains’ and to develop templates for answers that you can recall at a short notice .
Attend the free live webinar conducted by Civilsdaily’s toppers’ mentor & Mains Program Head Sukanya Rana Ma’am to understand what are the processes that every aspirant must care for.
Webinar Details
Never miss the chance to get value added guidance to secure a rank under 100 with your answer writing in a holistic manner! This webinar is absolutely free. All aspirants are warmly welcome to attend.
Tips to Learn in This Free Live Webinar by Sukanya Rana!
1. The UPSC preparation process is divided into Four stages. What should you focus on during each phase?
2. Our step-by-step 5-hour learning plan. Other toppers’ time-management skills are also discussed.
3. Avoiding errors that cost you a chance. How do you get your preparation off to a good start?
4. The advantages of being a UPSC aspirant while working. What distinguishes you from the competition?
5. Studying judiciously. How can you save time by using the Civilsdaily App to acquire aggregated information?
About Sukanya Rana Ma’am
Our Civilsdaily Mains Program Head Mrs. Sukanya Rana has been mentoring students across multiple stages from prelims to mains to interview. She herself was a working professional as a PO in CANARA BANK during her first UPSC Interview in 2016.
Attend the webinar to gain insights from her personal experience of working and preparing for UPSC.
There isn’t a more opportune time to invest your rapt attention in UPSC preparation if you have a couple of years in hand. Preparing for the UPSC exam is not awhimsical fancy. Many toppers even started their UPSC preparation in their penultimate year in school. Because winners start early.
It will be a game changer if any undergraduate, with only 2 to 3 years in hand, inculcates the brainchild formulas of toppers’ mentors to crack UPSC.
When time is short and way is long, every step must be more on-target.
So, why tax your brain! Let’s know those formulas right away.
When the destination is IAS or IPS, UPSC syllabus and previous year question papers go hand in hand. So, don’t wander off, you may lose the track.
Bring the syllabus on your finger tip. Because you have to complete the syllabus and not books.
Hook at least 5 years previous years MCQs (Prelims + Mains + Optional)
According to mentor heads, there are 2 types of syllabus pattern
Raw static syllabus
Dynamic syllabus
In the incipient stage, finish static syllabus at least once. Because static parts boost aspirants’ confidence, besides, it’s the very foundation of grip on current affairs. To finish the static parts, an aspirant may need around 6 months and not more than that.
Now, start investing time in the dynamic syllabus.
Take PYQs, revise chapters accordingly
Learn Current affairs and tangle with static questions.
It’s worth remembering that balancing study is the key to excellence for either the MCQs or writing for mains.
Another key point to be noted here is ‘Evaluation of preparation’. It’s also an indirect and inseparable part of your UPSC syllabus.
Civilsdaily’s centralized mentorship is recommended here.
https://youtu.be/DSwO38weHAA
Time Management
Minimum 2 years and maximum 3 years will run short unless and until you become sincere about time management.
Have you heard the traditional proverb “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”?
Similarly, keep in mind ‘A chapter a day unblocks UPSC doorway’.
Learn from mentors and act on how to divide time for newspaper reading, answer writing, practicing MCQs, etc. each and everyday.
Running free webinars, mentorship programs in community managed platforms of Civilsdaily, will help you immensely to learn how to utilize maximum time.
If there is a guide on the unknown path, even the crooked path becomes simpler. When you have 2-3 years in your hand, and want to make a gigantic syllabus familiar at firsthand, taking a risk may be proven as a fool’s errand. Let’s understand the difference.
SELF STUDY
MENTOR’S GUIDE
Self-study, though isn’t an empty vessel always, is very time and energy consuming. Following self-study, almost 75% of aspirants look for a needle in a haystack.
Mentors’ guide means saving time and energy not to get baffled.
Most of the time, the daily target dies.
Daily target lives because of guidance.
Self study lacks self assessment.
Assessment of leaders
So, how would you like to react to mentors’ guidance now? Let’s know.
Nothing is more important than the limit of time. From circling OMR sheet to answer writing and optional to interview, all these won’t be tediously threatening if done under proper guidance especially when there is a bound on time.
It’s the aspirants’ choice whether they embrace the very 1st attempt or love to get into a labyrinth of futile attempts.
Book your slot for UPSC Mock interviews (paneled by ex UPSC members) and get a dedicated mentor, on-call DAF analysis, DAF-based personalized questionnaire, and Situational questionnaire (FREE)
Pakistan has witnessed dramatic political developments where yet another elected govt has been unable to complete its full term.
It now has a new ‘Wazir-e-Azam’. His name is Shehbaz Sharif. A member of the wealthy Sharif dynasty. A man famous for his impassionate speeches.
It does not matter who rules Pakistan, the country is never going to change (any way that’s the prevailing argument.)
However, in this article, we will study what this latest change in Pakistan mean for Pakistan, for India, and the rest of the world.
Pakistan conundrum: A quick recap
(1) Attempt for a constitutional coup
In a high stage political drama, Imran Khan was ousted as the PM after a political and constitutional crisis emerged in Pakistan.
Pakistani National Assembly Speaker dismissed a no-confidence motion against PM during a session in which it was expected to be taken up for a vote, alleging foreign country’s involvement.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) took a suo moto notice of the ongoing situation, creating a constitutional crisis, as effectively, Imran Khan led a constitutional coup.
(2) Questions over Pak Army’s role
Meanwhile, Imran Khan had ordered termination of its Army Chief who was his staunch supporter turned opponent.
He has broken that consensus within Pakistan’s political class on deference to the Pakistan army and has demonised his political opponents.
Shortly after midnight on 10 April, a majority of members voted and passed the no-confidence motion, removing Khan from office, and making him the first prime minister in Pakistan to be removed from office through a no-confidence motion.
Geopolitical impacts of Pakistan Crisis
The nation of more than 220 million people lies between Afghanistan to the west, China to the northeast and India to the east, making it of vital strategic importance.
Defiance from the US: Since coming to power in 2018, Khan’s rhetoric has become more anti-American.
Support for Russian invasion of Ukraine: He expressed a desire to move closer to China and, recently, Russia – including talks with President Putin on the day the invasion of Ukraine began.
Here is what the upheaval, which comes as the economy is in deep trouble, means for countries closely involved in Pakistan:
[A] INDIA
Terrorism: Any regime change in Islamabad has always been monitored closely by New Delhi for potential changes in the border scenario, and militancy.
Ongoing Ceasefire: As with Afghanistan, it is Pakistan’s military that controls policy in the sensitive area, and tensions along the de facto border there are at their lowest level since 2021, thanks to a ceasefire.
Absence of formal dialogue: There have been no formal diplomatic talks between the rivals for years because of deep distrust over a range of issues, including Khan’s extreme criticism of Indian PM.
Push of geo-economics: The Pakistani military has put pressure on the new government in Islamabad to build successful ties for geo-economics and bilateral trade.
Change in Kashmir rhetoric: The powerful army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said recently that his country was ready to move forward on Kashmir if India agrees.
[B] AFGHANISTAN
Ongoing crisis: Now that the Taliban are back in power in Afghanistan, and facing an economic and humanitarian crisis due to a lack of money and international isolation.
Row over Durand Line: Tensions have risen between the Taliban and Pakistan’s military, which has lost several soldiers in attacks close to their mutual border.
Putting curb on terror activities: Pakistan wants the Taliban to do more to crack down on extremist groups and worries they will spread violence into Pakistan by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction.
[C] CHINA
“All weather” friends: Khan consistently emphasised China’s positive role in Pakistan and in the world at large.
Continuance of CPEC: The $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which binds them together was actually conceptualised and launched under Pakistan’s two established political parties, both of which are set to share power in the new government.
[D] UNITED STATES
No priority for US: Pakistan’s political crisis is unlikely to be a priority for President Joe Biden, who is grappling with the war in Ukraine, unless it led to mass unrest or rising tensions with India.
Pak retreat on alleged US involvement: With the Pakistani military maintaining its behind-the-scenes control of foreign and security policies, the change of government was not a major concern.
Damage control over Russian ties: Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow had been a “disaster” in terms of U.S. relations, and that a new government in Islamabad could at least help mend ties “to some degree”.
Pakistan- the way it is: A Rogue State
Obsession for Kashmir: Ever since Pakistan came into being, its biggest obsession has been India and Kashmir. Even after losing 3 crucial wars, the saga has never ended.
Obsession with India: The deploring economic condition, ever-increasing scarcity of water, dishevelled education system and growing radicalisation take a back seat in the breadth of bleeding India by a thousand cuts.
Perceived ‘conspiracy’ in all walks of polity: The only thing that helps the army/govt to stay in power is by vilifying India (/ US/ Semitism) and delineating India as the biggest threat to their survival.
Lack of credible civilian leadership: Pakistan’s founders expected the idea of Pakistan to shape the state of Pakistan; instead, a military bureaucracy governs the state and imposes its own vision of a Pakistani nation.
Army is the Deep-State: This shortcoming gave the army a chance to intervene and take over the functioning of the civilian government. Ever since its inception, the army has played a decisive role in the internal governance and foreign policy.
Demographic bottlenecks: At the time of partition, Pakistan received a large share of military personnel as compared to the share of civilian migrants from India.
De-indigenization of own history: Pakistan has always tried to de-indigenise its history, culture. It has always tried to attach its cultural habits with the Arabs and the invader Turks.
Crusade for Islam: Pakistan often stunts to be the khalifa of the Islamic world. It has propagated the rhetoric of Islamophobia despite being a Islamic republic.
Terrorism as a diplomatic tool: Pakistan is idiosyncratic to the common notion of diplomacy. Pakistan is the only state in the world which sponsors terrorism as a state policy be it in India or Afghanistan
Dilemma for India
Leadership vacuum in Pakistan: Indian policymakers have not been able to engage in a formal diplomatic talk due to the leadership vacuum and deep distrust.
No talks amid Terrorism: India has tried both the diplomatic and the military ways to find a solution to the problem. But nothing has worked out so far that could deter Pakistan from sponsoring terrorism.
Offensive defence: Even after 26/11, India’s responses were mostly limited to diplomatic and covert operations. Indian responses pre-surgical-strike were mostly dictated by the nuclear hangover.
Short-lived military deterrence: Surgical strike and Balakot strike manifested change in India’s attitude to take punitive and decisive action. But the deterrence which was expected to have been created have been short-lived.
Atomic hangover of Pakistan: It often reiterates the stance of being a potential atomic superpower, whenever reference to the ties with India are invoked.
Imperatives for India
From India’s point of view, two positive developments have taken place in the course of this turmoil:
Praise for India: First, Imran Khan, the outgoing prime minister who has alleged a US-led foreign conspiracy to oust his government, has heaped fulsome praise on India for its independent foreign policy.
Army wants ties with India: Pakistan’s powerful army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, has yet again reached out to India with a message of peace, which the Modi government must not reject. He regards religious extremism, not India, to be a greater threat to Pakistan’s national security.
What could be the reasons compelling Pakistan’s military to seek peace with India?
Ans.
(1) Looming Economic Crisis
Pakistan is going through an acute economic crisis, which has made its military leaders to do some introspection.
Today, Pakistan stands at the crossroads of its economic and strategic goals. It has north-south connectivity (Pakistan to Afghanistan to Central Asia and Russia).
It now wants to capitalize the build connectivity from east to west (India to Iran) that will increase trade and benefit Pakistan and the region.
(2) Own jihadists hitting back
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is the largest militant organization fighting against the state in Pakistan.
It was once bred by Pak Army and ISI to wage Jihad against India in Kashmir Valley.
According to the UN, the TTP also boasts several thousand fighters in Afghanistan, with strongholds on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
(3) Crisis in Balochistan
(4) Stalled progress of China Pakistan Economic Corridor
Way forward
Capitalizing on-going conundrum: India cannot let these tactical advantages go in vain. It will have to capitalise on them.
Resumption of dialogue: The visionary Pak army chief will retire this year. Hence, there is a small window of opportunity in which India and Pakistan can resume dialogue and achieve a meaningful breakthrough.
Alert policy imperatives: India should respond careful to the peace message from our western neighbour — coming from none other than its army chief.
All-factor considerations: India needs to prepare a grand strategy to decipher this Pakistan conundrum which should take into consideration all the facets of the problem.
Balancing China: Another important aspect of this grand strategy, which would need greater accentuation, is the bonhomie between China and Pakistan.
There isn’t a more opportune time to invest your rapt attention in UPSC preparation if you have a couple of years in hand. Preparing for the UPSC exam is not awhimsical fancy. Many toppers even started their UPSC preparation in their penultimate year in school. Because winners start early.
It will be a game changer if any undergraduate, with only 2 to 3 years in hand, inculcates the brainchild formulas of toppers’ mentors to crack UPSC.
When time is short and way is long, every step must be more on-target.
So, why tax your brain! Let’s know those formulas right away.
When the destination is IAS or IPS, UPSC syllabus and previous year question papers go hand in hand. So, don’t wander off, you may lose the track.
Bring the syllabus on your finger tip. Because you have to complete the syllabus and not books.
Hook at least 5 years previous years MCQs (Prelims + Mains + Optional)
According to mentor heads, there are 2 types of syllabus pattern
Raw static syllabus
Dynamic syllabus
In the incipient stage, finish static syllabus at least once. Because static parts boost aspirants’ confidence, besides, it’s the very foundation of grip on current affairs. To finish the static parts, an aspirant may need around 6 months and not more than that.
Now, start investing time in the dynamic syllabus.
Take PYQs, revise chapters accordingly
Learn Current affairs and tangle with static questions.
It’s worth remembering that balancing study is the key to excellence for either the MCQs or writing for mains.
Another key point to be noted here is ‘Evaluation of preparation’. It’s also an indirect and inseparable part of your UPSC syllabus.
Civilsdaily’s centralized mentorship is recommended here.
https://youtu.be/DSwO38weHAA
Time Management
Minimum 2 years and maximum 3 years will run short unless and until you become sincere about time management.
Have you heard the traditional proverb “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”?
Similarly, keep in mind ‘A chapter a day unblocks UPSC doorway’.
Learn from mentors and act on how to divide time for newspaper reading, answer writing, practicing MCQs, etc. each and everyday.
Running free webinars, mentorship programs in community managed platforms of Civilsdaily, will help you immensely to learn how to utilize maximum time.
If there is a guide on the unknown path, even the crooked path becomes simpler. When you have 2-3 years in your hand, and want to make a gigantic syllabus familiar at firsthand, taking a risk may be proven as a fool’s errand. Let’s understand the difference.
SELF STUDY
MENTOR’S GUIDE
Self-study, though isn’t an empty vessel always, is very time and energy consuming. Following self-study, almost 75% of aspirants look for a needle in a haystack.
Mentors’ guide means saving time and energy not to get baffled.
Most of the time, the daily target dies.
Daily target lives because of guidance.
Self study lacks self assessment.
Assessment of leaders
So, how would you like to react to mentors’ guidance now? Let’s know.
Nothing is more important than the limit of time. From circling OMR sheet to answer writing and optional to interview, all these won’t be tediously threatening if done under proper guidance especially when there is a bound on time.
It’s the aspirants’ choice whether they embrace the very 1st attempt or love to get into a labyrinth of futile attempts.
Don’t miss the chance to get value addition inputs to score better in the examination! This webinar is absolutely free. All aspirants are welcome to attend.
What will you Learn in This Free Live Webinar by Parth Sir?
1. The significance of PYQs and an examination of toppers’ copies for your own preparation.
2. Breaking myths: The syllabus, not the books, must be completed.
3. What are the best book to refer? Based on a last 10-year UPSC-CSE paper analysis.
4. Recognize the UPSC requirement. What kinds of test series are useful? Which mock test series should be avoided?
5. Complete UPSC-CSE Preparation Timeline for a Working Professional
6. The skill of taking notes. What topics necessitate notes and which do not?
7. Working hard in the right direction vs. working hard in the wrong direction: Is it possible to be successful solely by studying hard?
8. There are only two consolidated sources for current events. What exactly are they?
9. Revision techniques that are common, standard, and used frequently. What exactly are they?
About Parth Sir
Our Civilsdaily Mentor, Mr Parth has been mentoring students since 2017. He has an admirable experience of attending UPSC-CSE interview two times. Parth sir has always scored 400+ in all the 4 GS Mains Subjects. The secret of success according to him is consistency and time-management.
India and USA have reaffirmed their commitment to promote regional stability and rule of law at the fourth 2 +2 Ministerial Dialogue held in Washington recently.
Outcome of the dialogue
India’s Defence and EAM and their US counterparts undertook a comprehensive review of cross-cutting issues in the India-US bilateral agenda related to Foreign Policy, Defence and Security.
PM Modi and US President Biden also held a virtual meeting before the 2+2 dialogue where both leaders discussed the destabilizing impacts of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Modi also pointed out that India placed importance on the safety of the civilian population in Ukraine and the uninterrupted supply of humanitarian aid to them including medicines and relief materials.
Both sides also expressed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship through cooperation.
Major Outcome: Both agreed to differ on Ukraine
India stood firm in its stand despite what appeared to be growing pressure from the US.
New Delhi continued to promote dialogue to end the war.
It didn’t criticise Russia directly but chose some strong words about the need to respect the sovereignty of each nation.
In a candid remark, Mr Blinken agreed that India’s relationship with Russia has developed over decades at a time when the United States was not able to be a partner to India.
What is the 2+2 talks between India and allies?
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 enables the partners to better understand and appreciate each other’s strategic concerns and sensitivities taking into account political factors on both sides.
This helps to build a stronger, more integrated strategic relationship in a rapidly changing global environment.
India has 2+2 dialogues with four key strategic partners: US, Australia, Japan, and RUSSIA.
Inception of the idea
The inaugural 2+2 dialogue with Australia was held in September 2021 when Jaishankar and Singh met with their counterparts Marise Payne and Peter Dutton in New Delhi.
India held its first 2+2 dialogue with Russia in December last year, when Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited India.
The first India-Japan talks in the 2+2 format were held on November 30, 2019 in New Delhi.
Dialogue with the US
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.
It hosted then-Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and then-Secretary of Defence James Mattis and the late Sushma Swaraj and then Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi in September 2018.
The second and third editions of the 2+2 dialogues were held in Washington DC and New Delhi in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Defence and strategic agreements
Over the years, the strategic bilateral relationship with its partners, including the dialogues held in the 2+2 format, have produced tangible and far-reaching results for India.
Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016
Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) after the first 2+2 dialogue in 2018, and
Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020
Deterrents in the dialogue
Bullying India: For the first time since the Biden administration came to office, the US has raised the issue of India’s human rights record in a public forum.
No defined protocol: There is little doubt as to how beneficial this mechanism has been.
Progress in Indo-Pacific: On one side, the ‘two plus dialogue’ is expected to abate, if not resolve, highly problematic issues such as Chinese aggression.
Russia factor: This time, the US is sceptical of India’s mammoth oil import from Russia. Another problematic pointer is India’s voluminous weaponry sanctions from Russia.
Holding 2+2 with Russia
Russia is one of those countries with which a 2+2 format talk “fits perfectly” in India’s foreign policy.
Traditional partners: Having a 2+2 with Russia also means that India is “not in anyone’s camp” and that bilateral ties between Moscow and New Delhi are “traditional and comprehensive”.
Strategic partnership: India and Russia have shared a strategic relationship since October 2000, which later got upgraded to ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ in December 2010. To be sure, the India-Russia 2+2 does have a particularly strong signalling component when seen against the backdrop of the S400 controversy.
Non-Alignment: Holding the 2+2 talks with Russia is much needed. This gives out a strong message to the world that India sees everyone to be on the same level.
National interests: This is visible messaging that India cannot be compelled to choose partners. India pursues an independent foreign policy serving its national and non-allied interests.
Onus lies on the US
It’s clear that there is a lot more ground to cover for the US to replace Moscow as India’s largest partner.
Washington acknowledged that Russia is India’s biggest defence supplier – accounting for more than 50% of its imports.
In contrast, the US was India’s second-largest supplier between 2011 and 2015 after Russia, but fell behind France and Israel in the period between 2016 and 2021.
India continues to import from Russia because it gets good value for money, and, crucially, transfers of technology in some areas.
The US needs to give commitments on technology transfers to be able to get a bigger share of India’s defence imports.
Way forward
India and the US don’t set ‘red lines’ and are pushing for “an honest dialogue”, the ongoing 2+2 dialogue is an opportunity for both India and the US.
The US also understands that India is one of the few countries that could leverage its relationship with Russia to bring the two warring parties to the negotiating table through a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution.
For Delhi, it is a season for careful and adroit diplomacy.
