Score:
6/10
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Topper’s Copy
GS2
International Relations
10 marks
“The BRICS Plus naval exercise reflects emerging divergences within the BRICS grouping regarding the scope and direction of cooperation.”
Critically examine this statement in the context of India’s strategic autonomy and its approach towards separating economic multilateralism from security alignments.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- Examine divergences within BRICS regarding cooperation scope/direction
- Analyze India's strategic autonomy in this context
- Evaluate India's approach to separating economic multilateralism from security alignments
- Critical assessment of the naval exercise's implications
What you wrote:
The BRICS Plus naval exercise signals a shift from economic cooperation to security signalling, exposing internal rifts between proponents of a "counter-Western" bloc and those favouring "Non-Western" multilateralism.
The BRICS Plus naval exercise signals a shift from economic cooperation to security signalling, exposing internal rifts between proponents of a "counter-Western" bloc and those favouring "Non-Western" multilateralism.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could provide brief context about the BRICS Plus naval exercise (e.g., participation by Russia, China, and Iran while India abstained)
- Can mention India's historical precedent of maintaining compartmentalization in multilateral forums
What you wrote:
India's Strategic Rationale
India's refusal to participate is rooted in its doctrine of strategic autonomy.
- Decoupling spheres → India views BRICS as a platform for Global South advocacy (eg. NDB), maintaining a strict separation between economic forums and military alignments.
- Issue-based Alignment → while engaging in the QUAD for Indo-Pacific stability, India avoids China-led security frameworks to prevent being called "Anti-West".
- Sovereignty → New Delhi prioritises its role as a "Net Security Provider", wary of normalising adversarial naval presence (China) in the Indian Ocean.
India's Strategic Rationale
India's refusal to participate is rooted in its doctrine of strategic autonomy.
- Decoupling spheres → India views BRICS as a platform for Global South advocacy (eg. NDB), maintaining a strict separation between economic forums and military alignments.
- Issue-based Alignment → while engaging in the QUAD for Indo-Pacific stability, India avoids China-led security frameworks to prevent being called "Anti-West".
- Sovereignty → New Delhi prioritises its role as a "Net Security Provider", wary of normalising adversarial naval presence (China) in the Indian Ocean.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could highlight contrasting positions within BRICS (e.g., Brazil and South Africa's cautious approach vs Russia-China's push for deeper security cooperation)
- Can elaborate on India's "Net Security Provider" concept with examples like India's humanitarian assistance during regional crises or capacity building initiatives
- Could mention India's concerns about legitimizing China's naval presence in Indian Ocean Region through multilateral exercises
What you wrote:
Critical Assessment
- Militarisation Risks → Over-securitising BRICS risks curbing its development agenda and alienating Western partners.
- Geopolitical Balancing → India must lead BRICS's developmental initiatives to ensure it remains a multipolar tool rather than a Sino-Russian geopolitical weapon.
Critical Assessment
- Militarisation Risks → Over-securitising BRICS risks curbing its development agenda and alienating Western partners.
- Geopolitical Balancing → India must lead BRICS's developmental initiatives to ensure it remains a multipolar tool rather than a Sino-Russian geopolitical weapon.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could discuss India's alternative proposals for BRICS cooperation (e.g., focus on digital infrastructure, renewable energy partnerships, or counter-terrorism cooperation without military exercises)
- Can analyze how India's stance impacts its bilateral ties with Russia and China within BRICS framework
- Could examine India's role in BRICS New Development Bank initiatives as an alternative to security-focused cooperation
What you wrote:
By separating economic cooperation from military blocs, India upholds principled pragmatism, ensuring BRICS remains a forum for global reform rather than a catalyst for a new cold war.
By separating economic cooperation from military blocs, India upholds principled pragmatism, ensuring BRICS remains a forum for global reform rather than a catalyst for a new cold war.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could emphasize India's vision for BRICS as a platform for Global South leadership in climate action, digital governance, or sustainable development
- Can conclude with India's potential to shape BRICS's future direction through economic initiatives rather than security alignments
Strong analytical framework with clear understanding of strategic autonomy, but needs deeper exploration of intra-BRICS divergences and more specific examples of India's alternative cooperation models within the grouping.
Demand of the Question
- Examine divergences within BRICS regarding cooperation scope/direction
- Analyze India's strategic autonomy in this context
- Evaluate India's approach to separating economic multilateralism from security alignments
- Critical assessment of the naval exercise's implications
What you wrote:
The BRICS Plus naval exercise signals a shift from economic cooperation to security signalling, exposing internal rifts between proponents of a "counter-Western" bloc and those favouring "Non-Western" multilateralism.
The BRICS Plus naval exercise signals a shift from economic cooperation to security signalling, exposing internal rifts between proponents of a "counter-Western" bloc and those favouring "Non-Western" multilateralism.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could provide brief context about the BRICS Plus naval exercise (e.g., participation by Russia, China, and Iran while India abstained)
- Can mention India's historical precedent of maintaining compartmentalization in multilateral forums
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