Answer the following in about 150 words each: (a) Peaceful co-existence remains the cornerstone of India's foreign policy…

Answer the following in about 150 words each: (a) Peaceful co-existence remains the cornerstone of India's foreign policy. Comment. (10 marks) (b) Discuss the ways and means to realise greater economic co-operation among the Member States of South Asia. (10 marks) (c) Discuss the steps required to realise 'hydro-co-operation' between India and Bangladesh. (10 marks) (d) Explain the significance of Basic Exchange and Co-operation Agreement (BECA) for Indo-US strategic relations. (10 marks) (e) Discuss the role of public diplomacy in the enhancement of India's global standing. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक का लगभग 150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए। (a) शांतिपूर्ण सह अस्तित्व भारत के विदेश नीति की आधारशिला है। टिप्पणी करें। (10 अंक) (b) दक्षिण एशिया के सदस्य देशों के बीच गहन आर्थिक सहयोग को बढ़ाने हेतु उपायों एवं साधनों का विवेचन कीजिये। (10 अंक) (c) भारत एवं बांग्लादेश के बीच 'जल-सहयोग' बढ़ाने हेतु आवश्यक कदमों की विवेचना कीजिये। (10 अंक) (d) भारत-अमेरिका के सामरिक संबंधों के लिए बुनियादी विनिमय एवं सहयोग समझौते (बी ई सी ए) के महत्व की व्याख्या करें। (10 अंक) (e) भारत की वैश्विक प्रतिष्ठा में वृद्धि हेतु सार्वजनिक कूटनीति की भूमिका का विवेचन कीजिये। (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. 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

This multi-part question requires balanced treatment of five 10-mark sub-parts within 150 words each. For (a) 'comment', critically assess peaceful co-existence as both principle and evolving practice; for (b) 'discuss', examine SAARC revival mechanisms and sub-regional alternatives; for (c) 'discuss', outline institutional and technical steps for Teesta and other river agreements; for (d) 'explain', detail BECA's geospatial and strategic implications; for (e) 'discuss', link public diplomacy instruments to soft power outcomes. Allocate approximately 25-28 words per sub-part, using crisp introductions, 2-3 analytical points, and a forward-looking conclusion for each.

Key points expected

(a) Panchsheel origins and contemporary relevance; distinction between non-alignment and peaceful co-existence; post-Cold War adaptations including strategic autonomy
(b) SAARC revitalisation through SAARC Development Fund; sub-regional alternatives like BBIN and BIMSTEC; trade facilitation via SAFTA operationalisation
(c) Teesta water-sharing treaty finalisation; joint river basin management institutions; flood forecasting data sharing; hydropower grid connectivity
d) BECA's geospatial intelligence sharing provisions; complementarity with LEMOA and COMCASA; Indo-Pacific strategic convergence and interoperability
(e) ICCR, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and cultural diplomacy; digital diplomacy via social media; yoga/AYUSH as soft power tools; challenges of perception management

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	10	Correctly interprets 'comment' for (a) as requiring critical assessment not mere description; 'discuss' for (b), (c), (e) as multi-dimensional examination; 'explain' for (d) as causal analysis of significance; maintains appropriate analytical depth within severe word constraints	Treats all directives uniformly as 'write about'; misses critical edge in (a) or explanatory depth in (d); some misalignment between directive and response style	Fundamental confusion between directives—describes when should evaluate, or opines when should explain; ignores directive-specific demands entirely
Content depth & accuracy	20%	10	Demonstrates precise knowledge: for (a) cites 1954 Panchsheel Treaty and post-1991 shifts; for (b) names SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement and BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement; for (c) specifies Teesta barrage and Joint Rivers Commission; for (d) correctly identifies BECA's geospatial intelligence, topographic data, and aeronautical charts provisions; for (e) distinguishes public from traditional diplomacy with concrete institutional examples	Generally accurate but vague on specifics—mentions SAARC without SAFTA, rivers without Teesta, BECA without explaining its three components; some factual errors or outdated information	Major factual errors—confuses BECA with COMCASA, attributes peaceful co-existence to wrong period, conflates public diplomacy with propaganda; significant content gaps across sub-parts
Structure & flow	20%	10	Each 150-word segment follows distinct micro-structure: context-setting opening, 2-3 analytical points, and forward-looking conclusion; clear visual separation between (a)-(e); seamless transitions despite compressed format; no structural conflation between sub-parts	Readable but uneven—some sub-parts lack conclusions, others lack context; paragraphs run together without clear demarcation; occasional repetition across sub-parts	Disorganised response with no clear boundaries between (a)-(e); stream-of-consciousness writing; missing introductions or conclusions; structural incoherence impedes comprehension
Examples / case-law / data	20%	10	Deploys precise, contemporary examples: for (a) references 2020 India-China standoff as test of peaceful co-existence; for (b) cites intra-SAARC trade at 5% of total trade or BBIN MVA implementation; for (c) names specific projects like Kushiyara river agreement 2022; for (d) notes BECA signing October 2020 and subsequent Quad exercises; for (e) references specific campaigns like 'Incredible India' or Vaccine Maitri as public diplomacy instruments	Generic or dated examples—mentions Panchsheel without 1954 treaty specifics, SAARC without trade statistics, BECA without signing context; examples lack precision or relevance	No concrete examples; or irrelevant examples (e.g., discussing NATO for BECA, WTO for SAARC); fabricated data or case references
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	10	Each sub-part concludes with incisive synthesis: for (a) assesses whether peaceful co-existence remains viable amid competitive multipolarity; for (b) evaluates SAARC's institutional failure versus sub-regional promise; for (c) identifies political will as binding constraint; for (d) situates BECA within broader alliance dilemma for India; for (e) critically examines limitations of public diplomacy without hard power backing—demonstrates independent judgment	Descriptive conclusions restating main points; limited critical engagement; misses opportunity for evaluative closure; some sub-parts stronger than others	No conclusions or abrupt endings; purely summative without synthesis; or irrelevant philosophical musings disconnected from question; fails to demonstrate examiner-valued 'analytical edge'

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