General Studies 2024 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

Q9

'The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China's supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China's political and economic dominance.' Explain this statement with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

'पश्चिम भारत को, चीन की आपूर्ति श्रृंखला पर निर्भरता कम करने के लिए एक विकल्प के रूप में और चीन के राजनीतिक और आर्थिक प्रभुत्व का मुकाबला करने के लिए एक रणनीतिक सहयोगी के रूप में बढ़ावा दे रहा है।' उदाहरणों के साथ इस कथन की व्याख्या कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में लिखिए)

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. 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 directive 'explain' requires unpacking the causal logic behind Western strategic calculations regarding India vis-à-vis China. Structure: brief context on China+1 strategy → dual rationale (supply chain diversification + geopolitical balancing) → specific examples across economic and security domains → balanced conclusion on opportunities and constraints.

Key points expected

China+1 strategy: post-COVID supply chain resilience driving relocation to India (Apple-Foxconn, Samsung expansion)
Economic decoupling: US CHIPS Act, EU Critical Raw Materials Act reducing dependence on Chinese rare earths and semiconductors
Security alignment: Quad, AUKUS extension, Malabar exercises as deterrence architecture
Trade and investment flows: EU-India FTA negotiations, US-India iCET for technology transfer
Infrastructure alternatives: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) vs China's BRI
Limitations: India's manufacturing capacity constraints, regulatory hurdles, and asymmetric dependence on Chinese inputs

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Clearly distinguishes between economic supply-chain logic and strategic geopolitical logic; treats 'alternative' and 'ally' as complementary but analytically separate dimensions	Mentions both economic and strategic aspects but conflates them or treats one as subsidiary to the other	Misreads directive as calling for mere description of India-West relations without unpacking the 'why' of China's centrality to the argument
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Accurately identifies specific mechanisms (friend-shoring, near-shoring, technology denial regimes) and India's positioning in global value chains; no factual errors on initiatives	Broadly correct on direction but vague on specifics; may confuse bilateral with plurilateral frameworks or misstate timeline of initiatives	Generic statements about 'good relations'; confuses West with specific countries; misidentifies strategic initiatives or invents non-existent agreements
Structure & flow	20%	2	Tight 150-word discipline with clear paragraph breaks: context → economic dimension → security dimension → synthesis; logical connectors between sentences	Readable but uneven weightage; either over-expands on one dimension or rushes through second half; weak transitions	Disorganised listing of points; no discernible argument flow; exceeds or falls significantly short of word limit without density
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Precise, current examples: Apple-Dixon manufacturing shift, iCET (2023), IMEC launch (2023 G20), specific Quad working groups; quantitative hint (e.g., India receiving 10%+ of diverted FDI)	Correct but dated or imprecise examples (e.g., generic 'Quad' without specificity); no quantitative anchoring	No concrete examples or incorrect ones (e.g., citing RCEP as Western initiative); purely illustrative without evidentiary value
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Nuanced closure acknowledging India's strategic autonomy constraints, capacity limitations, or the tension between Western expectations and Indian delivery; avoids triumphalism	Balanced but generic conclusion about 'mutual benefit'; no critical reflection on feasibility or asymmetries	Absence of conclusion or purely rhetorical ending ('India will emerge as superpower'); uncritical acceptance of Western framing

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