Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
5. Both India and the EU have been keen to maintain the momentum in their bilateral interactions, despite various challenges. Can the unfulfilled bilateral potential be realised? Comment. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu ,Insights on India
Why this question:
While India celebrates its 75th year of Independence, it also celebrates 60 years of diplomatic relations with the European Union (EU). A cooperation agreement signed in 1994 took the bilateral relationship beyond trade and economic cooperation.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the need for great cooperation between India-EU in critical areas and ways to achieve it.
Directive word:
Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with brief background of the context of the question.
Body:
Explain first that after limited economic gains from its FTAs with Asian partners, India is reassessing its FTA options. While a good beginning has been made with the UK, India must also renegotiate with the EU—the bloc is very important for India as far as trade relations are concerned, and an FTA with the EU is, thus, based on sound reasoning.
Discuss that FTAs need to be designed in a manner that they enhance complementarities amongst partners and overcome regulatory hurdles that inhibit trade. Account for potential of India –EU trade relations.
Present the challenges before India in realizing this potential.
Conclusion:
Suggest way forward and conclude.
