International Relations

"IPMDA (Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness) bridges the gap between India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Quad's collective Indo-Pacific strategy." Make a critical assessment of the statement focusing on IPMDA.

"BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South." Explain the role of BRICS in projecting itself as an alternative to other groupings.

"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.

"China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has transformed South Asia from a regional space into a theatre of great power competition." Analyse the strategic implications of the BRI for India's security and regional influence in South Asia.

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

"With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism." Elucidate.

"Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India's foreign policy, and is linked with India's overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries." How would you integrate energy security with India's foreign policy trajectories in the coming years?

"The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance." Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard.

Analyze the strategic significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) in the backdrop of changing geopolitical alignments in West Asia.

Discuss India's role in the Global South during its G20 Presidency. How did India amplify the voice of developing nations on multilateral forums?

Analyze the evolving dynamics of the Quad grouping in the Indo-Pacific. How does India balance its continental security obligations with maritime security partnerships?

India's "Neighbourhood First" policy has encountered severe stress due to political instabilities and foreign economic incursions in South Asia. Examine with recent examples.

Evaluate the role and relevance of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in resolving contemporary global conflicts. Why is comprehensive reform of the UNSC imperative for representative global order?

'India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.' Discuss India's role in helping Sri Lanka tide over its recent economic and financial crisis.

Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organization like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two?

The expansion of BRICS to include new members signals a shifting balance in the global geopolitical and financial architecture. Analyze India's stance.

'The SCO has emerged as an important platform for regional security and connectivity.' Discuss India's stakes and challenges in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Evaluate the role of the Indian diaspora in promoting India's soft power and acting as a bridge for bilateral economic and technological partnerships.

How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India's position in global politics?

'Clean energy is the order of the day.' Describe the brief characteristics of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and India's role in leading it.

Critically analyze how the Russian-Ukraine conflict has tested India's policy of strategic autonomy in its foreign relations.

Discuss the key elements of India's "Act East" policy. How has connectivity through Myanmar and ASEAN evolved in recent years?

'The WTO is facing a crisis of relevance due to the paralysis of its Appellate Body.' Discuss its implications on international trade rules and India's options.

'The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a rising China.' How does this strategic rivalry impact the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific?

What are the main areas of divergence and convergence between India and the United States in their approaches towards the Middle East and Afghanistan?

'Aukus' alliance represents a major realignment in Pacific security architecture. How does it complement or conflict with the Quad and India's interests?

Critically analyze India's engagement with Central Asian republics under the "Connect Central Asia" policy and the security implications of the Afghan situation.

Evaluate the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the COVID-19 pandemic. What structural reforms are required to enhance global pandemic preparedness?

'The Indo-Pacific has emerged as a key geopolitical theatre.' In this context, analyze India's maritime vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

Critically analyze how the political changes in the Maldives impact India's strategic interests in the Indian Ocean.

The border standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has underscored the imperative of asymmetric deterrence and infrastructure push along the northern frontiers. Discuss.

Evaluate the strategic significance of the Abraham Accords for West Asian stability and discuss how India can leverage its ties with both the Arab states and Israel.

'The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the limits of multilateralism.' Critically evaluate the response of global multilateral bodies like the UN, G20, and WTO during the crisis.

'The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the non-aligned movement has given way to active engagement with multiple global alignments.' Discuss.

What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India's National self-esteem and ambitions. Explain with suitable examples.

'The development of Chabahar port by India represents a vital gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia bypassing Pakistan.' Discuss its strategic and economic significance.

Analyze the significance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China and evaluate India's objections regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

'Too little mechanism, too much politics characterizes the reform of the United Nations Security Council.' Critically evaluate.

'India's relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.' Discuss.

What are the key geopolitical challenges confronting the BIMSTEC grouping as it attempts to reposition itself as a dynamic regional forum in South Asia?

'A unique relationship between India and Bhutan is built on exemplary trust and mutual security interdependence.' In the backdrop of Doklam standoff, analyze this relationship.

Analyze the impact of US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on India's energy security and regional connectivity projects in Iran.

Discuss the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean for India's economic growth and national security. How does India counter China's "String of Pearls" strategy?

'Indian diaspora has a vital role to play in South-East Asian countries' economy and society.' Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South- East Asia in this context.

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

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Analyze India's sovereignty concerns and geopolitical responses.

'The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has emerged as an engine of trade liberalization in the Pacific Rim.' What are the pros and cons of India joining APEC?

Evaluate the strategic importance of the INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor) in expanding India's trade and connectivity with Russia and Eurasia.

'The concept of Indian Ocean as a "Zone of Peace" remains relevant in the context of growing naval militarization by extra-regional powers.' Discuss.

Evaluate the role of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in promoting trade under SAFTA and analyze reasons for its sluggish progress.

'Project Mausam' and the 'Cotton Route' are perceived as India's cultural and economic responses to China's Maritime Silk Road. Examine their scope and progress.

Analyze the significance of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and examine the obstacles India faces in securing full membership of the grouping.

Evaluate the role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in peaceful settlement of international disputes, with specific reference to cases involving India.

'The Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) with Bangladesh demonstrates how political consensus and border dispute settlement can unlock regional cooperation.' Discuss.

Discuss the strategic importance of Seychelles and Mauritius for India's maritime security architecture in the south-western Indian Ocean.

'Project Mausam' is considered a strategic outreach by India to its maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean. Discuss its cultural and strategic ramifications.

Evaluate the role of the New Development Bank (NDB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in reshaping global financial governance. What are India's stakes?

Analyze the factors responsible for the persistent deadlock in the WTO Doha Development Agenda. How do India's positions on food security and public stockholding protect domestic farmers?

'The Look East Policy of India is gaining momentum through economic and strategic integration with ASEAN.' Evaluate the significance of India-ASEAN FTA in goods.

Examine the geopolitical significance of the Central Asian region for India's energy security and discuss the strategic potential of the TAPI pipeline.

'China's aggressive posturing in the South China Sea affects freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.' Discuss India's stakes and stance.

Examine the geopolitical implications of the rise of Islamic State (ISIS) in West Asia and evaluate the security and diaspora challenges for India.

Analyze the significance of the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza (2014) in establishing the New Development Bank and Contingent Reserve Arrangement.

Discuss the strategic importance of Afghanistan for India's geopolitical security and regional connectivity post-US troop withdrawal.

'The South China Sea maritime dispute has become a focal point of geopolitical contestation.' What are India's core economic and navigational interests in the region?

'The Look East Policy initiated in 1991 has evolved into a strategic partnership with ASEAN and East Asian powers.' Examine the economic and security dimensions of this evolution.

Critically examine India's stand on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). What are India's principled objections?

Evaluate the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Bali Ministerial Conference (2013) with special reference to Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and food security concerns.