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General Studies 2022 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Compare and contrast

GS Paper II — Q10

Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC ? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the…

Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC ? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two ? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation ? (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

क्या आप इस मत से सहमत हैं कि बिम्स्टेक (BIMSTEC) सार्क (SAARC) की तरह एक समानांतर संगठन है ? इन दोनों के बीच क्या समानताएँ और असमानताएँ हैं ? इस नए संगठन के बनाए जाने से भारतीय विदेश नीति के उद्देश्य कैसे प्राप्त हुए हैं ? (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

Q10 of the 2022 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper II, as printed
The question as printed in the 2022 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

BIMSTEC is not a parallel SAARC but a strategic alternative, not a replacement. Both are South Asian regional groupings seeking economic cooperation, trade, and shared cultural-historical ties. Yet BIMSTEC differs sharply: it excludes Pakistan, includes Thailand and Myanmar, and pursues a narrower, project-driven agenda across 14 priority areas, avoiding contentious bilateral disputes that paralyse SAARC. SAARC remains hostage to India-Pakistan tensions, while BIMSTEC functions through connectivity and institutional mechanisms. India’s foreign-policy objectives are realised by bypassing Pakistan’s veto, deepening Bay of Bengal integration, linking the Northeast to Southeast Asia, and extending the Act East Policy. Initiatives such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, the 2018 BIMSTEC military exercise, and the 2022 Colombo Summit’s emphasis on connectivity and blue economy show BIMSTEC as a viable platform for India’s regional leadership and strategic autonomy. Thus, BIMSTEC complements SAARC’s aspirational framework while giving India a functional, security-sensitive and connectivity-focused regional architecture.

What "Compare and contrast" is asking you to do

Both halves, visibly separated, usually because the two are routinely conflated: similarities across the stated dimensions, then differences across those same dimensions. The longer form is an instruction that the differences must not be folded into the similarities.

Structure that answers it

Dimensions fixed → similarities across them → differences across them → why the pair gets confused and what in fact separates it

Where marks are lost

One half done in a page and the other in three lines. Marks are allotted to each half separately, so the weaker half is lost however strong the other is.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS2 International Relations: Regionalism & India's Foreign Policy. compare: paired headings or table > key differences > significance > conclusion Full marks: Clear judgment on parallelism, sharp comparison of scope/members, strong link to India's strategic objectives.

Key points expected

  • Judgment on whether BIMSTEC is a parallel to SAARC
  • Similarities: regional grouping, India-led, economic focus
  • Dissimilarities: BIMSTEC is Bay of Bengal, SAARC is South Asia
  • BIMSTEC as alternative to SAARC's dysfunction

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Compare BIMSTEC and SAARC, then link BIMSTEC to Indian foreign policy objectives. 10 marks · 150 words

    compare— paired headings or table → key differences → significance → conclusion

    Must cover

    • Judgment on whether BIMSTEC is a parallel to SAARC
    • Similarities: regional grouping, India-led, economic focus
    • Dissimilarities: BIMSTEC is Bay of Bengal, SAARC is South Asia
    • BIMSTEC as alternative to SAARC's dysfunction

    Loses marks

    • Treating BIMSTEC as identical to SAARC
    • Ignoring the 'parallel organisation' judgment
    • Listing members without analyzing the difference

    Earns more

    • BIMSTEC's 5-pillar architecture (connectivity, trade, etc.)
    • SAARC's failure due to India-Pakistan rivalry
    • BIMSTEC's focus on Bay of Bengal littoral states
    • BIMSTEC as 'mini-SAARC' or 'SAARC without Pakistan'

    Extra mark

    • Specific BIMSTEC initiatives (e.g., BBIN motor vehicle agreement)
    • Reference to India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy

Practice this exact question

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