💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (August Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Subject: GroupingsXRegional

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

    Africa is emerging as the next frontier of global growth, driven by its demography, market, and natural resources.

    Asia’s Growth Story

    Asia’s share in global GDP rose from 25% (1990) to 45% (2024)

    Intra-Asian trade accounts for 60% of total exports (ADB, 2024).

    Demographic Dividend- Asia houses 60% of global population; India’s median age – 28 years

    Technological Hubs- India’s IT sector, China’s manufacturing, and ASEAN’s digital economies.

    Regional Platforms- Success of ASEAN, RCEP, and ADB

    Why the Next Few Decades Could Belong to Africa

    Demographic Potential- Africa to host 25% of global population by 2050, with the youngest median age (19 years).

    Resource Abundance- Rich reserves of critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, platinum) vital for energy transition.

    Economic Growth- Sub-Saharan Africa projected to grow at 4.0% annually (IMF, 2024-2030) – led by Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia.

    Regional Integration- African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) connects 1.3 billion people across 54 nations.

    Digital Leapfrogging- Africa’s fintech sector expanding by 30% CAGR, supported by Indian investments in Airtel Africa and UPI collaborations.

    India’s Influence in Africa- Examination

    Way Forward

    Develop an integrated “India-Africa Strategy 2030”

    Expand Diplomatic Footprint – increase frequency of high-level summits and ministerial dialogues

    Capacity Building 2.0- Expand ITEC 2.0 for emerging fields like AI, climate tech, and fintech.

    As PM Modi said at IAFS 2015, “Our partnership is beyond strategic – it is human-centric, empowering, and future-facing.”

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

    The I2U2 grouping was formalized in 2022 as a minilateral platform to promote cooperation in food security, energy, technology, and infrastructure. It is termed as the West Asian Quad.

    Six Key Areas of Cooperation

    Health

    Water

    Energy

    Transportation

    Food Security

    Space

    I2U2 Transforming India’s Position in Global Politics

    Geopolitical Transformation

    Positions India as a bridge between the Indo-Pacific and West Asia, linking Act East and Link West policies.

    Strategic autonomy – cooperation with the US and Israel while maintaining relations with Iran and the Arab world.

    Elevates India as a regional stabilizer in a volatile West Asian geopolitical landscape.

    Countering China’s influence in West Asia

    Geoeconomic Dimension

    Joint investments in infrastructure, energy, and food security. Eg- UAE funding a $2 billion food corridor in Gujarat.

    Integrates India into emerging West Asia–Indo-Pacific supply chains.

    Defence and Security Cooperation

    Strengthens intelligence sharing and counterterrorism collaboration.

    Supports maritime security and enhances India’s strategic depth in the Western Indian Ocean region.

    Connectivity and Infrastructure

    Aligns with India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

    Enhances security in chokepoints like the Suez Canal.

    Enhances India’s credibility as a reliable partner in minilateral frameworks (Quad, BRICS, SCO, G20).

    Challenges Associated with I2U2

    Complex strategic balancing: Balancing ties with Iran while deepening cooperation with US–Israel–UAE bloc.

    Regional Instability: Ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict and tensions in Iran–US relations.

    Limited Institutional Framework: Absence of a formal secretariat or enforcement mechanism.

    Uncertainty of US Leadership under Trump

    China may view I2U2 as a containment alliance, increasing competition in West Asia.

    Way Forward

    Institutionalize I2U2 with clear mechanisms for project implementation and funding.

    Leverage the platform to promote peace and stability in the region.

    Expand the agenda to include climate resilience, humanitarian aid, and disaster response.

    Strengthen linkages with Quad, IMEC, and G20 initiatives.

    The I2U2 marks a paradigm shift in India’s diplomacy and emergence as a bridge nation between East and West, consolidating its role as a key pillar in 21st-century multipolar global politics.

  • ‘The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well in India.’ What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.

    The NATO, Cold War-era collective defence alliance, has been revitalized after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (2022), leading to strengthening of US-Europe strategic convergence.

    While India is not a NATO member, this development aligns with many of India’s strategic interests in maintaining a stable, rules-based international order.

    NATO Strengthening Works Well for India

    A stronger NATO balances Russia-China “no-limits partnership” (2022) that could undermine India’s strategic space in Eurasia.

    NATO’s stand against territorial aggression (Ukraine invasion) reinforces the sovereignty principle, resonating with India’s stance on border integrity (Galwan Clash).

    Strategic Convergence with the West – NATO’s pivot to the Indo-Pacific (NATO 2022 Strategic Concept) opens opportunities for India-NATO dialogue on maritime and cyber security.

    Countering China – A stronger transatlantic alliance allows US to share security responsibilities with Europe, freeing bandwidth for the Indo-Pacific focus under Quad and AUKUS.

    Western unity enables India to access cutting-edge defence technology and enhanced intelligence sharing. Eg- India-France Rafale Deal.

    Value-Based Convergence – Reinforces shared democratic values, human rights, and rule of law. Eg- India’s participation in the Summit for Democracy.

    Trade and investment flow – Stability in Europe can facilitate greater cooperation in trade, connectivity and technology domains. Eg- Recent India-UK trade deal

    Challenges

    NATO’s expansion risks reviving Cold War-style bipolarity, which goes against India’s principle of strategic autonomy and multi-alignment.

    USA’s policy of Bait and Bloodletting by prolonging Russia-Ukraine war undermines India’s policy of peaceful resolutions of disputes.

    NATO’s confrontation with Russia complicates India’s long-standing defence and energy ties with Moscow. Eg- US sanctions on Russian Oil

    A tighter US-Europe nexus could monopolize advanced technologies and make India dependent on Western supply chains.

    NATO’s eastward expansion and Russia’s isolation weaken Eurasian platforms (like SCO and BRICS) which can limit India’s influence in Central Asia.

    The West’s climate and trade protectionism undermines developing nations’ interests. Eg- EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

    Way Forward

    Strategic autonomy with issue based partnerships based on enlightened self interest (S. Jaishankar)

    Waivers for Chabahar Port and Russian oil and defense imports to preserve Strategic Autonomy

    Strengthening Bilateral Relations with EU and other European powers like UK, France. Eg- early conclusion of India-EU FTA

    Promoting Atmanirbharta in defence sector. Eg- make in India-make for the world.

    As per Shivshankar Menon, foreign policy is about Mini-maxing i.e. minimising harm and maximising gain. Multi-vector diplomacy and strategic autonomy is the way forward.

  • Consider the following countries

    Consider the following countries :
    1. Switzerland
    2. Malta
    3. Bulgaria
    Which of the above are members of European Union?

  • Consider the following countries

    Consider the following countries :
    1. Brunei Darussalam
    2. East Timor
    3. Laos
    Which of the above is/are member/members of ASEAN ?

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:
    1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC.
    2. The headquarters of New Development Bank is in Shanghai.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • Consider the following countries

    Consider the following countries:
    1. Australia
    2. Canada
    3. China
    4. India
    5. Japan
    6. USA
    Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?

  • Consider the following countries

    Consider the following countries :
    1. Armenia
    2. Azerbaijan
    3. Croatia
    4. Romania
    5. Uzbekistan
    Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States ?

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:
    The ‘Stability and Growth Pact’ of the European Union is a treaty that
    1. limits the levels of the budgetary deficit of the countries of the European Union
    2. makes the countries of the European Union to share their infrastructure facilities
    3. enables the countries of the European Union to share their technologies
    How many of the above statements are correct?

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I:
    Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the ‘Trade and Technology Council’.
    Statement-II:
    The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?