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

Q10

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

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)

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Directive word: Compare and contrast

This question asks you to compare and contrast. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The question demands a compare and contrast approach across three parts: first addressing whether BIMSTEC parallels SAARC, then systematically comparing similarities and dissimilarities, and finally analysing India's foreign policy objectives. Structure as: brief intro stating BIMSTEC is not merely parallel but strategically distinct; body with comparison table or bullet points covering membership, geographic scope, economic integration, and political hurdles; conclude with India's strategic calculus regarding SAARC paralysis and Act East Policy.

Key points expected

Clear stance that BIMSTEC is not a parallel organisation but a strategic alternative, not replacement, to SAARC
Similarities: both are regional groupings of South Asian nations with economic cooperation objectives and shared cultural-historical ties
Dissimilarities: BIMSTEC excludes Pakistan, includes Thailand-Myanmar (Southeast Asia), has narrower agenda (14 priority areas), and avoids contentious bilateral issues
SAARC's institutional paralysis due to India-Pakistan tensions versus BIMSTEC's functional, project-driven approach
India's foreign policy objectives: circumventing Pakistan veto, integrating Northeast via Bay of Bengal, Act East Policy extension, and alternative regional leadership platform
Specific mention of 2018 BIMSTEC military exercise, 2022 Summit outcomes, or connectivity projects like India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Explicitly addresses all three demands—parallel nature (with nuanced position), systematic comparison with balanced treatment of similarities and dissimilarities, and clear linkage to India's foreign policy objectives—without conflating them	Addresses two of three demands adequately but either conflates parallel/comparison sections or treats foreign policy objectives superficially without linking to SAARC limitations	Misses one or more demands entirely, treats BIMSTEC and SAARC as identical parallels, or fails to connect organisation formation to Indian foreign policy goals
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Accurate membership details (BIMSTEC: 7 members including Thailand-Myanmar; SAARC: 8 with Pakistan), correct establishment years (SAARC 1985, BIMSTEC 1997), precise identification of 14 BIMSTEC priority areas, and factually grounded assessment of SAARC summit suspension since 2014	Generally accurate but with minor errors (e.g., wrong member count, vague on priority areas, imprecise on timeline) or superficial treatment of institutional mechanisms	Significant factual errors (confusing BIMSTEC with BBIN, wrong membership, incorrect chronology) or generic statements without substantive content on either organisation
Structure & flow	20%	2	Clear tripartite structure with signposting; concise intro establishing non-parallel nature; body with balanced comparison (similarities→dissimilarities or point-by-point) and distinct foreign policy section; tight conclusion within 150 words with no structural imbalance	Recognisable structure but uneven weightage (overlong on comparison, rushed on foreign policy) or weak transitions between the three demands causing reader to lose thread	Disorganised or missing structure, no paragraph breaks, random information dump, or severely imbalanced coverage (e.g., 100 words on comparison, 10 on foreign policy)
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Specific evidence: 2016 Uri attack and SAARC summit cancellation, 2018 BIMSTEC military exercise first ever, 2022 Colombo Summit outcomes, $300 million India commitment for BIMSTEC projects, or specific connectivity corridors (Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project)	One concrete example (typically the 2016 SAARC cancellation or generic mention of Pakistan obstruction) but lacking specificity on BIMSTEC deliverables or recent summit outcomes	No concrete examples, only generic references to 'regional cooperation' or 'economic development', or invented/irrelevant examples showing poor factual command
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Sharp analytical conclusion recognising BIMSTEC as India's hedging strategy—complementary when SAARC functional, alternative when paralysed—while noting limitations (Thailand economic dominance, Myanmar instability, modest institutionalisation) and forward-looking observation on Bay of Bengal economic community potential	Adequate summary restating main points without analytical depth, or one-sided conclusion praising BIMSTEC without acknowledging limitations or the conditional nature of India-SAARC relationship	Missing conclusion, abrupt ending, or trite statement like 'both organisations important for regional peace' showing no analytical engagement with the strategic question posed

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