“It is very important for India to improve its relations with the U.S.”. Do you agree with this statement? Support your answer with suitable arguments.

Or

Evaluate the role and limitations of SAARC as a forum for facilitating economic cooperation among Asian Countries.

Yes, it is very important for India to improve its relationship with the U.S. for the following reasons:

(i) After the collapse of the USSR, the world has become unipolar with the US as the sole superpower.

(ii) The technical dimension and the role of Indian American diaspora also factors:

(a) U.S absorbs about 65% of India’s total exports in the software sector.

(b) 300,000 Indians works in the Silicon valley.

(c) 35% of technical staff of Boeing is estimated to be of Indian Origin.

(d) 15% of all high-tech start-ups are by Indian Americans.

(iii) Both countries are natural allies being the largest and oldest democracies.
                                                                           Or

The role and limitation of SAARC:

(i) SAARC is a major regional initiative by the South Asian states to evolve cooperation through multilateral means.

(ii) Unfortunately, due to persisting political differences, SAARC has not had much success.

(iii) SAARC members have signed the South Asian Free Trade (SAFTA) Agreement which promised the formation of a free trade zone for the whole of South Asia.

Limitations:

(i) SAFTA can usher in a chapter of peace and cooperation, but some of our neighbours fear this a way for India to invade their markets and to influence their societies and politics through commercial ventures and a commercial presence in their countries.

(ii) Some people in India think that SAFTA is not worth as we have bilateral agreements with Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri-Lanka.

(iii) Another great limitation is the story of endemic conflicts and violence between India and Pakistan.