📋 Written Ability Test (WAT)/Essay Analysis Guide: Should India Seek Stronger Ties with the Middle East?
🌐 Understanding the Topic
India’s relationship with the Middle East is critical for energy security, trade, and diaspora welfare. Strengthening ties could lead to mutual economic growth and geopolitical stability, a significant topic for B-school discussions on international business.
🕒 Effective Planning and Writing
- 📅 Time Allocation:
- 🗂️ Planning: 5 minutes
- ✍️ Writing: 20 minutes
- 🔍 Review: 5 minutes
- 📝 Structure:
- Introduction: 60 words
- Body: 350 words (Achievements, Challenges, Future Outlook)
- Conclusion: 60 words
💡 Introduction Techniques for Essays
- ⚖️ Template A (Contrast): “While India relies on the Middle East for over 80% of its crude oil imports, recent investments of $175 billion from UAE and Saudi Arabia highlight the relationship’s diversification into trade and technology.”
- 📜 Template B (Timeline): “From centuries-old cultural ties to surpassing the EU in trade share in 2022-2023, the India-Middle East partnership is evolving into a modern strategic alliance.”
📊 Structuring the Essay Body
🏆 Achievements:
- 📈 Trade surpassing the EU, accounting for 15.8% of India’s total trade.
- 💰 Over $175 billion investment commitments from UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- 🌍 Gulf remittances significantly boosting India’s economy.
⚠️ Challenges:
- ⚔️ Geopolitical risks in the Gulf region.
- 👷 Worker welfare for the 8.8 million Indian expatriates.
- 🛢️ Dependency on crude oil imports.
🌍 Future Outlook:
- 🌞 Renewable energy collaborations to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
- 📦 Leveraging trilateral trade corridors for diversification.
📄 Concluding Effectively
- ⚖️ Balanced Conclusion: “Stronger ties with the Middle East are a cornerstone of India’s strategic goals but must be accompanied by energy diversification and worker welfare initiatives.”
- 🔮 Future-Oriented Conclusion: “The India-Middle East partnership promises immense growth, provided it adapts to challenges like energy dependency and labor rights.”
🔍 Analyzing Successes and Shortcomings
- 🏅 Key Achievements: Trade growth, investment influx, and remittance contributions.
- ⚠️ Ongoing Challenges: Energy dependency and labor issues.
- 🌍 Global Context: Benchmarking against China’s Belt and Road success.
📈 Recommendations for Sustainable Progress
- 🔋 Foster renewable energy initiatives to reduce dependency on oil.
- 🤝 Enhance labor welfare policies for Gulf workers.
- 📦 Develop trilateral partnerships for strategic trade diversification.
📚 Sample Short Essays
- ⚖️ Balanced Perspective: “India’s economic ties with the Middle East are critical for growth, but they require a balanced approach to mitigate risks and ensure sustainability.”
- 🔧 Solution-Oriented: “Collaborating on renewable energy and diversifying trade corridors will transform India-Middle East relations into a resilient partnership.”
- 🌏 Global Comparison: “India can emulate China’s strategic investments in the Middle East while prioritizing its unique energy and labor interests.”