PYQ Vault · Paper 2 · Recent Developments in Foreign Policy — Part 1
India maintains strong ties with countries that will assure a free and open Indo-Pacific and guarantee sreater connectivity with rest of the world. Analyze.
How the answer moves
The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.
Flow snapshot — how the answer moves
Intro routes
FLUW ONAFONUT — now tne answer moves R1 Indo-Pacific = pivot of world politics + India answers through partnerships, not alliances ~ frame = strategic autonomy R2 India’s own maritime vision: SAGAR > MAHASAGAR (2025) > sets the free-and-open frame
Body flow
maritime leg: Quad (US-Japan-Australia), Malabar + maritime domain awareness — France, Vietnam, ASEAN centrality (Act East) open sea-lanes without treaty — connectivity leg: IMEC vs Belt and Road – Chabahar bypasses Pakistan > MAHASAGAR “trade for development’, inclusive alternative to BRI — links to Europe, Gulf, Global South
Counter-view
does partnership-without-alliance actually deliver? > Tarapore’s zone balancing (capacity-building short of alliance) vs Rajagopalan’s evasive balancing (satisfies neither China nor partners) > Bajpaee: risk of a “second-tier” role as AUKUS hardens
Conclusion routes
R1 balancing without alliance — secures sea-lanes + ee connectivity while refusing entanglement — autonomy in practice R2 the free-and-open order depends on converting flexible autonomy into consistent delivery
Model answer
Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.
