AdminModel Answers to PYQs (2019-2024)
1] Discuss the implications of the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime with Myanmar by the Indian Government on the complex ethno-political dynamics of the north eastern region. [2024/15m/200w/8b]
Post-independence, the border divided people of the same ethnicity— specifically the Nagas, and the Kuki-Chin-Mizo communities — across India and Myanmar. In 2018, as a part of ‘Act East Policy’, the Free Movement Regime (FMR) was signed between India and Myanmar which allowed people living on either side of the border to travel up to 16 km inside each other’s country without a visa.
However, in Feb 2024, MHA decided that the FMR between India and Myanmar be scrapped. This was done to ensure internal security and to maintain the demographic structure of North Eastern States.
As mentioned, communities like the Nagas, Kukis, and Mizos share strong kinship ties across the border. The end of FMR could strain these social and cultural connections, leading to resentment. This is particularly important since these regions are already volatile and natives are against state intervention in their personal lives. The scrapping of FMR will also impact border trade. It could further push smuggling and insurgency activities underground, complicating surveillance efforts.
Along with scrapping the border, the govt. has also announced the construction of a fence along the 1600 km India-Myanmar border. In a difficult terrain of the Eastern Himalayas, this could prove a costly affair for the Indian government.
It has been almost 8 decades since Indian independence, and unfortunately, the North-East still remains restless and uncertain. Sanjay Hazarika suggests that India has ‘treated it as a frontier rather than as an integral part of the Indian Union.’ Thus, more needs to be done. [250 words]
2] What are the implications of ‘Look-East’ Policy on the north-eastern region of India? [2022/15m/200w/7b]
Whereas traditional Indian foreign policy was approaching the Indian North Eastern Region through a security vantage, the Look East Policy opened up the northeast to trade and investments and combines geopolitical objectives with the impetus for economic expansion.
The region suffered from a developmental deficit due to remoteness from the industrially advanced parts of India and due to communication and infrastructural lapses in the region. Look East Policy is expected to initiate economic and developmental activities and help the eight North-eastern states to develop infrastructure, communication, trade, investment, logistics, agro-business and other commercial activities.
This shift has regarded the expansion of trade as a result of infrastructure and connectivity development in the region as a self-propelled mechanism for the delivery of development. The economic gain to be had from the increased linkages with ASEAN countries has been seen as the way to undo the post-independence developmental deficit in the Indian North Eastern Region. For example, undertaking highway expansion programs and the Asian Highways Project with the aid of international funding agencies, seek to change transport and communications in the region.
By departing from the traditional foreign policy imperatives, the Look East Policy is said to have focused on dismantling the geographical barriers and remoteness of Northeast India and is a means of reducing India’s internal development disparity. [217 words]
3] Discuss the Consequences of illegal cross-border migration in India’s north-eastern region. [2022/15m/200w/8b]
The northeastern region of India, surrounded by international borders, is home to a variety of ethnic groups which is in a state of transition due to uncontrolled migration from neighbouring countries and states.
While cross-border immigration is creating the opportunity for a few states of the region to employ cheap and skilled labour, it is coming at the cost of marginalisation of the indigenous people in their own states of origin.
Due to the trans-border character of the region; migration and diversity are giving rise to social tensions between the natives and the settler migrants and more so among the natives. Moreover, the porous international borders particularly the Indo-Bangladesh border is compounding the problem of illegal migration in the region.
The continuous inflow of migrants both legal and illegal in the region as compared to limited outflow is leading to severe consequences like internal displacement, growth of the terrorism industry and a boost in the illegal trade of human and child trafficking and smuggling of arms and narcotics. The massive illegal immigration is posing a grave danger to the security, social harmony and economic well-being of the country.
The terrains comprising of forested hills, low-lying plains, riverine and human settlements in the absence of proper roads make the task of effective border policing an extremely difficult task. It is only through the securitisation of the borders along with strict policy measures in place, the rights of indigenous people can be harmonized with those of migrants. [245 words]
4] Discuss the strategic implications of India’s ‘Look East Policy’ transforming into ‘Act East Policy’. [2021/10m/150w/5a]
India’s ‘Look East Policy’ was a strategic approach initiated in the early 1990s to strengthen India’s engagement with Southeast Asia and East Asia. In recent years, this policy has evolved into the ‘Act East Policy,’ reflecting a more proactive and action-oriented approach.
The ‘Act East Policy’ aims to enhance economic integration with countries in the Southeast Asian region and beyond to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island nations. It seeks to leverage the economic potential of the Asia-Pacific region, which is experiencing rapid growth and offers opportunities for trade, investment, and technological collaboration. By deepening economic ties, India aims to diversify its trade partners, attract investments, and foster mutual economic prosperity.
It emphasizes the development of connectivity infrastructure, such as roads, ports, railways, and air links, to improve regional connectivity. In addition to the ‘Look East Policy’, the ‘Act East Policy’ recognizes the importance of security cooperation in maintaining regional stability and addressing shared security challenges. It also involves active diplomatic engagements with countries in the region. These engagements enhance India’s visibility and influence in the region, allowing it to actively shape regional agendas and foster closer diplomatic ties.
The ‘Act East Policy’ is a response to the evolving geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific region. It seeks to counterbalance the influence of other major powers in the region and promote India as a responsible and influential actor in regional affairs. [230 words]
5] How is India responding to the idea of Indo-Pacific? [2019/10m/150w/5d]
The emergence of the Indo-Pacific as a new geographic space—bringing together the Indian and the Pacific Oceans—represents the new strategic reality of the twenty-first century.
Firstly, India sees the Indo-Pacific as an opportunity to expand its footprint across the region while facing significant capacity and capital constraints. Second, it places partnerships at the core of India’s Indo-Pacific interests. While collaborations with bigger powers such as Australia, France, Japan, and the United States have provides a greater platform for New Delhi to expand its diplomatic footprint, its relationship with island nations will shape India’s role in the Indo-Pacific.
Due to the geographic proximity of the island states—both Maldives and Sri Lanka and to a greater extent Mauritius and Seychelles—to India, their foreign policy choices will have a direct impact on New Delhi’s security environment. Finally, although the Indo-Pacific presents new opportunities for India’s great power ambitions, India’s priorities and significant investments will remain in the Indian Ocean.
The Indo-Pacific, which is a new domain in India’s foreign policy engagements, represents a shift in New Delhi’s strategic environment—expanding itself solely from its continental borders to its maritime space. [191 words]
The post contains answers to the last 6-year papers i.e. (2024-2019). Answers to the previous year questions from 2013-2024 are a part of our book PSIR Optional Model Answers to PYQs (2013-2024). Click here to know more.
The answers are not at all at par with what is needed. Pls focus on quality over quantity
So sorry to disappoint you. Please let us know answer to which specific question can be improved.. and what exactly is wrong with the existing one. We’ll try to improve on that.