Topper’s Copy

GS2

International Relations

15 marks

Discuss the significance of the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg for India’s foreign policy, with reference to the themes of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and South–South cooperation.

Student’s Answer

Evaluation by SuperKalam

icon

Score:

9.5/15

0
5
10
15

Demand of the Question

  • Significance for India's foreign policy - How the summit advanced India's strategic interests
  • Reference to Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - Connection to India's philosophical approach to global relations
  • Reference to South-South cooperation - Strengthening ties with developing nations
  • Focus on Johannesburg summit specifically - Outcomes and developments from this particular G20 meeting

What you wrote:

The 20th G20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg, first in Africa and held after seen's presidency, advances India's foreign policy priorities by securing AU's G20 membership and consolidating India's role as a principal voice of global south.

The 20th G20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg, first in Africa and held after seen's presidency, advances India's foreign policy priorities by securing AU's G20 membership and consolidating India's role as a principal voice of global south.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could begin with the broader context of India's G20 presidency legacy (e.g., "Following India's successful G20 presidency that championed Global South priorities...")
  • Can include a brief explanation of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as "the world is one family" philosophy guiding India's inclusive multilateralism

What you wrote:

Significance in advancing Vasudhaiva kutumbakam:-

1. AU's entry, strongly pushed by India, democratises G20 decision making. Africa will form 25% of world's population by 2050 (UN DESA), making its inclusion essential for equitable global governance.

2. Johannesburg carried forward India's G20 priorities - DPI, food security, climate resilient agriculture, reflecting Vasudhaiva kutumbakam's vision of people centric development and global cooperation ("the world is one family").

3. Johannesburg adopted Africa's 'Just Energy Transition' demands, enabling India's support equity based climate pathways aligned with principle of "shared but fair responsibilities".

4. Enhanced health equity through support for WHO's Africa mRNA hubs and India-Africa vaccine cooperation.

5. With summit hosted in Africa, India highlighted shared vulnerabilities of food insecurity, debt stress, digital divide; pushing G20 to prioritise people-first measures consistent with "one Family" ethos.

6. Expanded african voice at 20th G20 summit, strengthened India's long-standing push for reformed global governance, showing Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam in action through greater representation.

Significance in advancing Vasudhaiva kutumbakam:-

1. AU's entry, strongly pushed by India, democratises G20 decision making. Africa will form 25% of world's population by 2050 (UN DESA), making its inclusion essential for equitable global governance.

2. Johannesburg carried forward India's G20 priorities - DPI, food security, climate resilient agriculture, reflecting Vasudhaiva kutumbakam's vision of people centric development and global cooperation ("the world is one family").

3. Johannesburg adopted Africa's 'Just Energy Transition' demands, enabling India's support equity based climate pathways aligned with principle of "shared but fair responsibilities".

4. Enhanced health equity through support for WHO's Africa mRNA hubs and India-Africa vaccine cooperation.

5. With summit hosted in Africa, India highlighted shared vulnerabilities of food insecurity, debt stress, digital divide; pushing G20 to prioritise people-first measures consistent with "one Family" ethos.

6. Expanded african voice at 20th G20 summit, strengthened India's long-standing push for reformed global governance, showing Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam in action through greater representation.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could highlight India's role in facilitating consensus on AU membership (e.g., "India's diplomatic efforts helped overcome initial resistance from some G20 members")
  • Can mention specific initiatives like India's proposal for Global Biofuel Alliance as practical manifestation of "one family" approach
  • Could reference India's push for Loss and Damage Fund operationalization as example of supporting vulnerable nations

What you wrote:

Significance in strengthening south-south cooperation:-

1. India-Africa partnership deepened with $98Bn trade and $12.3B LOCs, expanded cooperation in pharma, digital governance etc.

2. IBSA and BASIC leadership: India advanced climate justice, MDB reform and WTO negotiation through democratic south-south coalitions.

3. Debt sustainability - India leveraged Africa's push for debt restructuring frameworks; strengthening unified stance on 'debt justice (50% LIC debt distress).

4. Africa receives only 2% of clean-energy investment (IEA); India pushed ISA solar corridors, Green hydrogen and JET-P cooperation.

5. Johannesburg enabled African states to formally engage with India's DPI Roadmap, making it a platform for scalable south-south digital models.

6. India aligned IORA, AU maritime visions, SAGAR - upgrading bilateral engagements to regionally backed south-south frameworks.

7. ISRO collaborations and Pan-African e-Network expanded tele-education, tele-medicine and climate services enhancing space and tech-diplomacy.

Significance in strengthening south-south cooperation:-

1. India-Africa partnership deepened with $98Bn trade and $12.3B LOCs, expanded cooperation in pharma, digital governance etc.

2. IBSA and BASIC leadership: India advanced climate justice, MDB reform and WTO negotiation through democratic south-south coalitions.

3. Debt sustainability - India leveraged Africa's push for debt restructuring frameworks; strengthening unified stance on 'debt justice (50% LIC debt distress).

4. Africa receives only 2% of clean-energy investment (IEA); India pushed ISA solar corridors, Green hydrogen and JET-P cooperation.

5. Johannesburg enabled African states to formally engage with India's DPI Roadmap, making it a platform for scalable south-south digital models.

6. India aligned IORA, AU maritime visions, SAGAR - upgrading bilateral engagements to regionally backed south-south frameworks.

7. ISRO collaborations and Pan-African e-Network expanded tele-education, tele-medicine and climate services enhancing space and tech-diplomacy.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could elaborate on India's commitment to establish African Development Bank partnerships for infrastructure financing
  • Can mention India's role in promoting African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) integration with global value chains
  • Could highlight India-Africa Defence Dialogue outcomes and security cooperation initiatives
  • Can reference specific DPI implementations like India's support for digital identity systems in African nations

What you wrote:

Johannesburg positions India to shape future G20 Agendas by driving financial reform, scaling DPI and deepening climate cooperation; supporting India's foreign policy of "one earth, one family, one future".

Johannesburg positions India to shape future G20 Agendas by driving financial reform, scaling DPI and deepening climate cooperation; supporting India's foreign policy of "one earth, one family, one future".

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could emphasize India's enhanced credibility as "Voice of Global South" following successful advocacy for AU membership
  • Can mention how this summit strengthened India's bid for permanent UNSC membership through increased African support

The answer demonstrates strong analytical skills with excellent use of data and clear thematic organization. However, it could benefit from more specific examples of summit outcomes and clearer differentiation between overlapping points in the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam section.

Marks: 9.5/15

Demand of the Question

  • Significance for India's foreign policy - How the summit advanced India's strategic interests
  • Reference to Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - Connection to India's philosophical approach to global relations
  • Reference to South-South cooperation - Strengthening ties with developing nations
  • Focus on Johannesburg summit specifically - Outcomes and developments from this particular G20 meeting

What you wrote:

The 20th G20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg, first in Africa and held after seen's presidency, advances India's foreign policy priorities by securing AU's G20 membership and consolidating India's role as a principal voice of global south.

The 20th G20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg, first in Africa and held after seen's presidency, advances India's foreign policy priorities by securing AU's G20 membership and consolidating India's role as a principal voice of global south.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could begin with the broader context of India's G20 presidency legacy (e.g., "Following India's successful G20 presidency that championed Global South priorities...")
  • Can include a brief explanation of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as "the world is one family" philosophy guiding India's inclusive multilateralism

More Challenges

View All
  • GS2

    Indian Polity

    29 Nov, 2025

    Critically examine the Election Commission’s stance on simultaneous elections in India, especially with reference to the basic structure doctrine and election-related institutional mechanisms.

    View Challenge
  • GS2

    Governance

    Yesterday

    Critically examine the limitations of the POSH Act in addressing sexual harassment in educational institutions, especially in cases involving power imbalance and emotional manipulation. Suggest reforms.

    View Challenge
  • GS2

    Indian Polity

    27 Nov, 2025

    With the rise of deepfake technologies and AI-generated content, discuss the challenges they pose to personality rights in India. Evaluate the adequacy of existing legal frameworks and suggest measures to ensure stronger protection.

    View Challenge
SuperKalam is your personal mentor for UPSC preparation, guiding you at every step of the exam journey.

Download the App

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store
Follow us

ⓒ Snapstack Technologies Private Limited