← All questionsGS2 · 2026 · International Relations ·Indian Diaspora
QUESTION 19
GS2
15 marks

“India’s global diaspora acts as a living bridge, as a critical economic factor and knowledge network in transforming cultural heritage into geopolitical influence and strategic leverage worldwide.” Critically examine this statement.

WRITE IN
11 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

Assess multiple channels by which diaspora ties become economic, knowledge and geopolitical influence while respecting host-country autonomy and diaspora diversity.

Critically examineWeigh the strengths and the weaknesses, then give a balanced verdict.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Living bridge: culture, society, politics and bilateral familiarity≈50 words
  2. 2Economic factor: remittances, investment, business networks and market access≈50 words
  3. 3Knowledge network: skills, technology, academia and innovation≈50 words
  4. 4Geopolitical influence: advocacy/soft power/strategic connectivity, with limits from diverse identities and loyalties≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Four channelsExamplesLimits/risksCalibrated conclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Reducing diaspora importance to remittances
  • Assuming diaspora communities act as a single coherent geopolitical lobby

Value addition

  • Diaspora network wheel with four channels
    → Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.

Official source anchors

These are authoritative sources selected for this exact PYQ. Where a card is an official-domain anchor rather than a fact-level citation, verify the precise provision, definition or data point on the linked source before using it.