Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
4. The values that steer India’s development cooperation — demand driven, conditionality free and based on the principle of partnership among equals — are appreciated in Africa. In this regard, critically analyse the opportunities that African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can offer in longstanding India-Africa economic partnership. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is significant in this regard, as it provides a wide scope to create the largest free trade area in the world, by geography, with a lot of countries actively taking part in it. The AfCFTA provides a window of opportunity to lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty, though it requires conducive policies to realize its true potential.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the role of AfCFTA in furthering Indo-African relations.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context regarding the formation of AfCFTA.
Body:
First, in brief, give the various efforts at cooperation between India and Africa and various strengths for India in this region.
Next, write about Africa in the 21st century, Africa has transformed from a lost continent to a continent of hope. Subsequently, in recent years, Africa occupies a central place in the Indian government’s foreign and economic policy.
Next, write about opportunities that AfCFTA will provide for India and Africa. Mention some of its limitations.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
