India And Neighbourhood
- In spite of its ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’, India has been losing its influence in the region to China. Comment.
- Analyse India’s position regarding political developments in Myanmar and the effects on India’s Act East Policy?
- Discuss the centrality of ASEAN bloc in India’s Act East policy and SAGAR initiative.
- Raising nationalistic fervor in Nepal combined with India being perceived as a hegemon indicates that relations between India and Nepal need a fundamental reset. Analyze.
- Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) seeks to differentiate India’s leadership from the methods of other regional powers; it reassures littoral states as India’s maritime influence grows. Analyse.
- Despite certain challenges, the mutual understanding between India and Bangladesh has allowed the ‘Golden Chapter’ of the two countries to continue. Discuss
- India is no longer wedded to ‘bilateralism only’ in its approach to its South Asian neighbors. Discuss. Also, highlight the challenges pertaining to effective cooperation in the region.
- India needs to be a sensitive and generous partner to Nepal for the “Neighbourhood First” policy to take root. In this context, mention the recent roadblocks in the Indo-Nepal relationship and suggest a way forward.
- As India re-imagines its neighborhood, cross-border connectivity through sub-regions is becoming increasingly vital. Analyse.
- There is a need to address the underlying challenges, both internal and external, in the North- Eastern region of India before it can serve as a pivotal connecting space between India and its neighbours. Comment.
- Despite certain hiccups, recent developments suggest that continuity still looms large in the Indo-Bhutan relationship. Discuss.
- The Indo-China war of 1962 was a result of various factors leading upto the war. Elaborate. Additionally, discuss the significance of the war for India.
- Indo-Nepal relations have witnessed a shift in recent times due to multiple factors. Discuss. What measures can India take to strengthen its relationship with Nepal?
- The unveiling of Pakistan’s New Security Policy raises critical questions for India, especially from our national security perspective. Discuss.
- China’s increasing influence in India’s neighborhood has necessitated a more proactive implementation of its neighborhood first policy. Discuss.
- As security threats increase in form and frequency in the South-West Indian Ocean, discuss the role played by India in relation to small island developing states (SIDS) in the region.
- There are similarities and interactions between the affirmative action adopted by India and USA owing to similar historical injustices faced by their respective vulnerable groups. Discuss.
- India is a reliable partner in the Indian Ocean Region and can take on the role of being the net security provider in the region. Discuss.
- West Asia is an important strategic region for India with profound geo-political and geo- economic significance. Discuss.
- The repercussions of the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka extend beyond its borders. Discuss with specific reference to India. Also, mention the steps that India has taken to assist Sri Lanka tide over the crisis.
Important International Institutions
- Discuss the role that the International Solar Alliance (ISA) can play in helping the international community realize the full potential of solar energy.
- Bring out India’s contributions towards the UN peacekeeping efforts. It also, highlights the challenges faced by the UN peacekeeping forces.
- Discuss the role played by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the field of nuclear safety.
- The India-UAE CEPA will serve as a catalyst to bolster economic ties between the two countries and give India greater access to the region. Discuss.
- Critically analyse the International Criminal Court’s (ICC’s) role in maintaining international peace and justice. Also discuss why India continues to stay out of the ICC.
- UN Peacekeeping requires reforms to keep its operations fit-for-purpose. In this context, discuss the challenges faced by the UN Peacekeeping. Also, suggest reforms to improve its operations.
- Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has struggled to redefine its role and relevance. Critically analyse.
- With initiatives within the SAARC not moving forward in the desired direction, BIMSTEC can be a vibrant alternative forum for regional grouping in South Asia and South-East Asia. Discuss.
- State the functions of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Also, discuss the issues faced by the Council in the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.
Bilateral Relations
- Despite the remarkable progress in India-Bangladesh relations in the last decade, there are unresolved issues looming large. Analyse the issues and steps to be taken to make the recent gains irreversible.
- Examine how strengthening of ties between Israel and India may jeopardise the longstanding Indo-Palestinian relationship.
- US policy on Pakistan has often oscillated between incentivizing and pressurizing. What are the challenges and areas of convergence for India in US-Pakistan relations?
- While the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations seeks to revitalize the relationship between the two countries, there are major challenges that need to be ironed out. Analyse.
- The flourishing relationship between India and countries of Latin America has become a critical element of India’s foreign policy. Examine.
- The deepening China-Russia strategic relationship has been described by some as the ‘most consequential undeclared alliance in the world.’ How can this alliance impact India’s national interest? What strategies should India adopt to protect her interests?
- The conduct of foreign affairs is an outcome of a two-way interaction between domestic compulsions and prevailing international climate. Discuss the statement in context of India’s external relations in the 1960s.
- Discuss the implications of the USA removing India from its list of countries classified as “developing nations” for trade benefits.
- Highlighting the significance of Central Asia for India, discuss the challenges in strengthening the Indo-Central Asian relationship
- Despite the evident tensions between USA and Russia, India has so far been able to successfully maintain its favourable bilateral relationship with both the countries while prioritising its own interests. Discuss.
- Not only is the Indo-French bilateral relationship the key for unlocking the synergies with the European Union but it is also crucial for a sustainable and stable world order. Do you agree?
- India intends to achieve a balanced and optimal development of energy infrastructure in the South-Asian region through mutual understanding and cooperation. In light of this statement, discuss the need as well as existing gaps in South Asia’s energy cooperation.
Regional and Global groupings and agreements
- Despite their significance, India has not been able to strengthen its ties with the Central Asian countries. Bringing out the reasons for the same, discuss how India can deepen its relationship with countries in this region.
- Do you agree with the view that diverging long-term economic trajectory coupled with political differences has put the future of BRICS into question?
- In light of the new and upcoming challenges faced by the Global South, discuss the role that India can play in empowering the voice of the Global South.
- Highlighting the potential areas of cooperation between India and CARICOM member states, discuss the various measures that have been taken in recent times to strengthen India’s relationship with the Caribbean countries.
- India’s presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) not only provides it with an opportunity to deepen its relations with the Central Asian nations but also promotes its economic and security interests. Discuss.
- As the only G20 member from South Asia, the G20 leadership is an ideal opportunity for India to use it as an effective platform to amplify South Asia’s voice at the global stage. Comment.
- In light of the new security cooperation efforts springing up across the Indo-Pacific, including strengthening of the Australia-Japan-U.S. trilateral, discuss the relevance of the QUAD in the present geopolitical climate.
- The adoption of the ‘Act Far East’ Policy underlines the significance of the Far East region for India. Discuss. Also, highlights the impediments to India’s interests in the Far East.
- The principles of Panchsheel and Non-Alignment aided India in maneuvering the Cold War era. Discuss.
- For realistic and effective collaborations to take place in the Indo-Pacific region, there is a need to acknowledge and recognize the underlining intention of the various countries with stakes in the region. Discuss.
- Critical Information Infrastructure has become a global good that requires global norms for its safeguard. What role can the G20 play to safeguard Critical Information Infrastructure?
- With growing apprehensions around China’s Belt and Road Initiative, discuss whether G7’s Build Back Better World (B3W) and European Union’s Global Gateway can provide an alternative for global infrastructure development.
- There have been arguments that with the old global multilateral order failing to manage rising challenges, issue-based coalitions are gaining traction and have become the arenas of functional cooperation. Discuss.
Important Current Events
- Discuss the rationale behind India’s recent pitch for ‘New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System (NORMS)’ to reflect the present-day geo-political realities.
- The growing influence of China in West Asia signals the end of the US hegemony and the dawn of a new multi-polar order. Critically discuss.
- What is debt-trap diplomacy? How does China’s debt-trap diplomacy impact India’s interests in its neighbourhood?
- India has placed soft power as an important pillar of its foreign policy to enhance its global standing and image abroad. Discuss the statement along with the initiatives taken by the government.
- Comment on the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in managing international conflicts in the present times.
- Greater engagement with Europe while dealing with its multiple contradictions has to be an important element of India’s contemporary international relations. Analyze.
Indian Diaspora
- The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is a moment to reconnect and re-imagine new possibilities and a network to drive change, discover new ties, and develop new ideas. Comment.
- The Indian diaspora plays a decisive role in leveraging India’s economic interests and shaping its foreign policy. In this context, discuss the major challenges faced by the Indian diaspora and steps taken by India to enhance engagement with them.
- Discuss the role that the Indian diaspora can play in the making of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India). Also, mention the challenges in this regard.