Topic– India and its bilateral relations
2) Indo-US relations in contemporary times is based on mutual trust and cooperation. in the light of this statement critically analyze the prospects of Indo-US relations in the contemporary times.(250 words)
Why this question
This article discusses the contour of indo us relationship, highlights the issues on which cooperation is going on between the two countries and the issues on which they don’t see eye to eye. The article is useful to prepare for IR section of paper 2.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to shed light on the nature of relation between the two countries. The statement in the question makes the assertion that indo us relations is based on mutual trust and cooperation. We have to critically examine this statement. Therefore we have to highlight the aspects of relationship where there is indeed immense trust and cooperation and the aspect of the relationship which are a source of distrust between the two nations. Finally we need to provide a fair and balanced opinion on the nature of relationship between the two countries.
Directive word
Critically examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any . When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, all you need to do is look at the good and bad of something and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Initially we have to shed light on the nature of my relationship between the two countries. We can mention that till cold war, there was an extreme level of mistrust between the two nations. Since the past two decades, the two estranged democracies have tried to make amends.
Body
- Highlight those aspects of the relationship which show the level of trust and cooperation between the two nation – exception given to India, defence partnership between the two nations , bustling trade etc
- Highlight the obstacles in the relationship – USA’s reticence in accepting that India can and will run its own foreign policy in case of Iran and Russia, the need for diversification of our defence imports etc
- Synthesize the two points of view, that even though the two countries do not see eye to eye on a lot of issues, Institutional mechanisms such as the 2+2 framework help each other in understanding each other’s point of view
Conclusion – Give a fair and balanced view on the nature of indo us relationship in contemporary times and discuss the way forward.
