UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-2 to check your progress.

Discuss the implications of the Maldives President’s recent visit to New Delhi for India-Maldives relations. Analyse the potential impact of his administration’s policies on regional security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean

Evaluate the strategic significance of the Chagos Islands, particularly Diego Garcia, in the context of geopolitical tensions in the Indian Ocean.

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

QUESTION 1: Discuss the implications of the Maldives President’s recent visit to New Delhi for India-Maldives relations. Analyse the potential impact of his administration’s policies on regional security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— India and the Maldives have long-standing ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious, and commercial relations.

— After the Maldives gained independence in 1965, India was among the first to acknowledge the country and establish diplomatic ties with it.

— India and the Maldives have always had strong bilateral connections, and India is a significant aid contributor to the island nation.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— Muizzu took office as President of the Maldives in November of last year. His election campaign was centred on the ‘India Out’ movement, and shortly after taking office, he demanded that India’s forces leave the island.

— Indian soldiers had been deployed to the Maldives at various intervals to train Maldivian troops in combat, reconnaissance, and rescue missions. However, there was widespread concern among Maldivians about Indian forces expanding across the island, which was also reflected in the ‘India Out’ movement.

Impact of Maldives administration’s policies

— Domestic priorities and pressing socio-economic concerns mean that Muizzu would not want to alienate India. He had earlier said that “Maldives would never do anything that undermines the security of India. India is a valued partner and friend of the Maldives, and our relationship is built on mutual respect and shared interests. While we enhance our cooperation with other countries in various sectors, we remain committed to ensuring that our actions don’t compromise the security and stability of our region”.

— For the time being, Muizzu is dealing with an impending economic catastrophe and a debt repayment deadline. Just before his journey to India, Muizzu expressed his country’s need for financial assistance, stating that Delhi is “fully cognisant” of the island nation’s economic position and will always be ready to “ease the burden” as one of Male’s main development partners.

— Muizzu is anticipated to request a currency swap agreement and debt relief during bilateral talks at India’s Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

— Moody’s had previously lowered Maldives’ credit rating, stating that “default risks have risen materially”. Maldives is facing a debt default as its foreign exchange reserves have decreased to $440 million, which is only enough for one-and-a-half months of imports. India has already offered financial support worth $1.4 billion to the Maldives for various infrastructure and development projects.

— According to Maldivian news publication Ashadha, the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives has dropped by 50,000, resulting in a loss of some $150 million. Indians have consistently been among the top-five nationalities to contribute to the Maldives’ tourism industry.

Conclusion:

— Maldives’ proximity to the west coast of India and its situation at the hub of commercial sea-lanes running through Indian Ocean imbues it with significant strategic importance to India.

— India has a pre-eminent position in the Maldives, with relations extending to virtually most areas. The importance of India’s strategic role in Maldives is well-recognized, with India being seen as a net security provider.

— Both nations are key players in maintaining the safety and security of the IOR, thus contributing to India-led Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision.

(Source: Muizzu in New Delhi: Significance of Maldives President visit, after a loud ‘India Out’ campaign by Neha Banka, http://www.mea.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Recent developments between India and Maldives

Why is Maldives more inclined towards China than India?

Related Previous Year Questions

Discuss the political developments in Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India? (2013)

‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)

QUESTION 2: Evaluate the strategic significance of the Chagos Islands, particularly Diego Garcia, in the context of geopolitical tensions in the Indian Ocean.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— The Chagos archipelago, comprising 58 islands, lies roughly 500 km to the south of the Maldives archipelago in the Indian Ocean. These islands were uninhabited until the late 18th century, when the French brought in slave labour from Africa and India to work in newly-established coconut plantations. In 1814, France ceded the islands to the British.

— The United Kingdom established the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) in 1965, with the Chagos Islands serving as its centrepiece. After gaining independence from Britain in 1976, the Seychelles obtained control of a few other BIOT islands.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— Chagos was administratively tied to Mauritius, another British colony in the Indian Ocean. However, when Mauritius got independence in 1968, Chagos stayed with Britain. The UK government awarded the newly independent country a subsidy of 3 million pounds for the “detachment” of the Chagos archipelago.

— In 1966, Britain and the United States struck an agreement that made the BIOT available for both countries’ defence requirements. Land was acquired in 1967, and four years later, the largest plantation on the archipelago, Diego Garcia, was closed down.

— The BIOT administration then issued an Immigration Ordinance, making it illegal to enter or remain on Diego Garcia without a permit, and allowing individuals who remained on the island to be removed. Approximately 2,000 people were later expelled, which has been fundamental to the dispute between the UK and Mauritius. Diego Garcia Military Base became fully operational in 1986.

What is the significance of the UK-Mauritius treaty?

— The agreement between the UK and Mauritius strikes a balance. The UK has ceded claims over the islands, and Mauritius is now “free to implement a programme of resettlement on the islands of the Chagos Archipelago, other than Diego Garcia”. The UK has also promised to create a new trust fund “for the benefit of Chagossians”.

— However, the agreement allows the Diego Garcia base to remain operational for an “initial period” of 99 years. The UK will continue to exercise sovereign rights over the island.

— The resolution of the dispute has broader implications. As the Foreign Policy article noted: “A successful resolution to the Diego Garcia spat would affirm Western commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. If left unresolved, however, the issue could drive countries such as Mauritius to seek redress with alternative partners like China.”

Conclusion:

— India has maintained steadfast support to Mauritius’ claims over the Chagos Islands. It voted in favour of the island country at the UNGA in 2019.

— India attempted to deepen its ties with Mauritius amidst China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean. Earlier this year, an India-built airstrip and a jetty were inaugurated at Agaléga, a two-island dependency of Mauritius in the Western Indian Ocean.

(Source: UK-Mauritius treaty on Chagos Archipelago, Diego Garcia: What it means, why it matters for India by Rishika Singh)

Points to Ponder

Location: Chagos and Diego Garcia

Recent developments between India and Mauritius

Related Previous Year Questions

‘Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos’ Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) in protecting the environment and enhancing maritime safety and security. (2023)

‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’. In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour. (2017)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 71)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 70)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 70)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 71)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 71)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 72)

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