Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
4. Trade integration among South Asian countries will translate in to better economic opportunities and shared prosperity for people living in these countries. However, despite many initiatives being taken, there are major stumbling blocks which has prevented the integration process. Analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
South Asia should now have a re-look at regional trade across Asia after the warning by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on January 31, 2023, that global trade would slow down from 5.4% in 2022 to 2.4% in 2023.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the various initiatives for South Asian trade integration and various obstacles in it.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin citing statistic relating to economic contribution and potential of the South Asian region.
Body:
In the first part, write about the shared benefits that can be enjoyed due to better trade integration of South Asia.
Next, write about the major initiatives that have been taken in this regard – SAARC, BIMSTEC, SASEC etc. Write about their successes and limitations which have hindered them from reach true potential.
Next, write the measures that are needed for better trade integration.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
