Theme T120 · International Relations

India & Africa: resources, digital partnership, influence

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What UPSC asks

Cross-paper GS1–GS2: India's place in resource-rich Africa, India–Africa digital partnership, India's influence as Africa grows, and pros and cons of engagement.

Prepare these

• India–Africa Forum Summits, lines of credit, ITEC
• Resources: oil, minerals; agriculture partnerships
• Digital public infrastructure and health cooperation
• African Union in G20
• Comparison with China's approach

Answer writing

• Show partnership model (capacity-building) vs extraction

Directive words in these PYQs: Examine (2), Elaborate (1), Critically (1).

Linked themes

Builds on: study these first

These come earlier in the roadmap. Questions in this theme use them.

On the map

Syllabus lines covered

• GS1-L11 — Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
• GS2-L18 — Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests

All 4 PYQs, newest first

1. GS2202510 marks · 150 wordsGS2-IR-03-M2025-Q09

   India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate.

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2. GS22021GS2-IR-03-M2021-S01

   “If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa’s.”In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years.

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3. GS22015GS2-IR-03-M2015-S01

   Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pro and cons. Critically examine.

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4. GS12014GS1-GEO-05-M2014-S02

   How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa?

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