Roadmap for Answer Writing Introduction Begin with a brief introduction to BRICS, its original members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), and the recent expansion. State the importance of the expansion: The inclusion of new members such as Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the ...
Model Answer The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) plays a crucial role in fostering economic cooperation and regional integration among its 23 member states through various initiatives: Trade and Investment Facilitation: IORA promotes trade liberalisation by reducing barriers to the free flow ofRead more
Model Answer
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) plays a crucial role in fostering economic cooperation and regional integration among its 23 member states through various initiatives:
Trade and Investment Facilitation:
IORA promotes trade liberalisation by reducing barriers to the free flow of goods, services, investment, and technology. The IORA Action Plan (2017-2021) set targets like promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and creating an online trade repository for member businesses to enhance economic integration.
Fisheries Management:
Recognising the importance of the Blue Economy, IORA has prioritised fisheries cooperation. The IORA Fisheries Support Unit leads efforts to address critical issues related to fisheries, ensuring sustainable resource management among its members.
Tourism and Cultural Exchanges:
A dedicated Core Group on Tourism works to enhance tourism and cultural exchanges, setting policy directions and facilitating cooperation to strengthen regional ties and promote people-to-people contact.
Disaster Risk Management:
Given the region’s vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters, IORA emphasizes multi-stakeholder cooperation in disaster risk management, involving governments, NGOs, and the private sector to reduce regional vulnerabilities.
Maritime Security:
To safeguard the strategic maritime routes in the Indian Ocean, IORA members cooperate on issues like piracy, maritime terrorism, and illegal fishing through initiatives like the IORA Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security.
Challenges Faced by IORA
Despite its efforts, IORA faces several hurdles in achieving its objectives:
- Economic Disparities: The diverse economic status of IORA’s members, from wealthy nations like the UAE and Singapore to developing countries such as Mozambique and Seychelles, results in unequal participation and benefits, leading to potential tensions.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Conflicts between major powers, such as the US-Iran, China’s regional disputes, and India-Pakistan tensions, have hindered effective cooperation within IORA.
- Overlapping Regional Organisations: IORA competes with other regional bodies like SAARC, ASEAN, and GCC for resources and attention, which can dilute its influence.
- Secretariat Issues: Frequent staff changes at the IORA Secretariat and its limited monitoring powers hinder the association’s institutional memory and effectiveness in executing its projects.
Model Answer Introduction The expansion of BRICS with the inclusion of new members such as Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Ethiopia at the 15th BRICS Summit marks a significant phase in the group's evolution. This expansion is an attempt to enhance BRICS' global influence, but it also bringsRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
The expansion of BRICS with the inclusion of new members such as Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Ethiopia at the 15th BRICS Summit marks a significant phase in the group’s evolution. This expansion is an attempt to enhance BRICS’ global influence, but it also brings challenges related to differing national interests and governance systems.
Strengths of BRICS in the Present Scenario
1. Demographic and Economic Weight
BRICS now accounts for almost 46% of the global population, offering immense demographic leverage. Economically, its share of world GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) has increased from 31.6% to over 35.6%, strengthening its global economic clout.
2. Strengthened Global Governance
With BRICS countries holding three consecutive G20 presidencies (India in 2023, Brazil in 2024, and South Africa in 2025), the bloc can push its agenda more effectively in global governance.
3. Voice of the Global South
The expansion is seen as a step towards promoting solidarity and strategic partnerships in the Global South, advancing multilateralism and inclusive global governance.
4. Reducing Dependence on the US Dollar
BRICS aims to reduce its reliance on the US dollar by encouraging the use of local currencies in international trade and financial transactions.
Weaknesses of BRICS in the Present Scenario
1. Heterogeneous Group
The group is ideologically and economically diverse. While some members, like Russia and China, have current account surpluses, others like India and South Africa face deficits. Additionally, the political regimes within BRICS vary, with some members being democracies and others authoritarian.
2. Limited Trade Integration
Despite the bloc’s large share in global exports (25%), intra-BRICS trade is limited, accounting for only 3.7% of global trade in 2021.
3. Fragile Geopolitical Unity
Geopolitical tensions, such as the ongoing India-China territorial disputes, create divisions within the bloc, affecting its ability to act cohesively on global issues.
4. Dominance of China
China’s overwhelming economic influence, contributing to over 50% of BRICS’s GDP, risks overshadowing the goals of other members and may lead to prioritizing China’s geopolitical interests.
Conclusion
BRICS represents both a powerful collective force and a complex coalition. While it enhances global influence, the group must navigate internal divisions and differing interests to make a meaningful impact on global governance.
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