UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 43)Subscriber Only

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.

India and Brazil maintain strong bilateral and multilateral relationships. Discuss the recent developments between the two countries.

The High-level Committee (HLC) on One Nation, One Election submitted its report to the President. Discuss the major recommendations of the committee.

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: India and Brazil maintain strong bilateral and multilateral relationships. Discuss the recent developments between the two countries.

Introduction:

— India and Brazil share close and complex relations both bilaterally and within bigger multilateral organisations like the UN, WTO, UNESCO, and WIPO, as well as within bilateral fora like BRICS, BASIC, G-20, G-4, IBSA, International Solar Alliance, and Biofuture Platform.

— Brazil is a key trading partner for India in the Latin America and Caribbean region.

Body:

Recent Developments

2+2 Meeting

— India and Brazil explored ways to expand cooperation in areas of energy, critical minerals, technology and counter-terrorism at their first ‘2+2’ defence and foreign ministerial dialogue.

— Discussions covered military, space, energy, vital minerals, technology, counter-terrorism, and regional, multilateral, and other matters of mutual concern.

Sugar Dispute (WTO)

— Brazil has offered to share its ethanol production technology with India as part of efforts to resolve a sugar related dispute between the two countries at WTO (World Trade Organisation).

— The South American nation in its proposal has stated that the ethanol production technology would help India to use surplus sugar in making ethanol.

— The offer can help India utilise its excess sugar output and ease competition for Brazil in the international sugar market.

Multi-pillar action plan to strengthen their strategic partnership

— The two sides signed pacts and announced 15 agreements – oil and gas, mineral resources, traditional medicine, animal husbandry, bio-energy and trade and investment.

Conclusion:

— The common values shared by India and Brazil as two large democracies and pluralistic societies” would strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

— The two sides are also working on “defence industrial cooperation” and that will be the new “focus”.

(Source: India, Brazil hold first ‘2+2’ defence and foreign ministerial dialogue, Brazil offers to share ethanol production tech with India to resolve sugar-related dispute at WTO, India, Brazil sign 15 pacts, plan to boost bonds by Shubhajit Roy)

Points to Ponder

Trade between India and Brazil

Important places in news in Brazil