INDIA & THE GLOBAL CENTRES OF POWER

1. INDIA & THE GLOBAL CENTRES OF POWER

USA, EU, Japan, China, Russia

A. India–USA

1. Analyse the developments in the Indo-US relations since the end of the Gulf War. Give the reasons for changes, if any, in the South Asia policy of USA. (1992)
2. Despite some problems which USA is facing in Asia, it is unlikely that pressures on India over the nuclear issue, Kashmir and missile programme will be released. Discuss. (1994)
3. What, in your opinion, is the objective of the US policy in South Asia—status quo or peaceful change? Examine the strategies adopted by Washington in this regard. (1995)
4. Comment: Diego Garcia. (1997)
5. Examine Pakistan as a factor in Indo-American relations during the Cold War. (2001)
6. Examine the areas of cooperation and conflict in the Indo-American relations. (2003)
7. Comprehensively examine the major developments/trends in Indo-US relations since the early 1990s. Do you visualise the strengthening of ties between the two Nation? Substantiate. (2007)
8. Examine India’s response to the Af-Pak policy of the US. (2010)
9. Explain the role of the Parliament in the shaping of 123 Agreement between India and the US on Civil-nuclear Cooperation. (2011)
10. Do you agree with the view that the USA is of late willing to treat India as a partner rather than merely a camp-follower? Give reasons for your answer. (2014)
11. Before the year 2000, the Indo-U.S. relationship has been marked more with estrangement than cordiality. Why? (2015)
12. Comment on India’s growing relationship with USA in the background of constrained relations between India and China. (2016)
13. The natural behaviour of India and the United States is likely to serve each other’s interest. Hence, a deliberate strategy of dovetailing their efforts will obviously benefit both. Elaborate. (2017)
14. Discuss the role of Indian diaspora in promoting Indo-US relations. (2018)
15. Discuss the significance of Indo-US strategic partnership and its implications for India’s security and national defence. (2020)
16. Explain the significance of Basic Exchange and Co-operation Agreement (BECA) for Indo-US strategic relations. (2022)
17. “India and USA have become such strong strategic partners that they need not become formal allies.” Comment. (2024)

B. India–EU

1. Comment: India and the European Union. (2002)
2. Comment: Examine the trends in India’s relations with the European Union. (2007)
3. Examine the nature of the issues currently being debated with the European Union. (2010)
4. “EU–India relations have a long way to go before they can purposely be termed strategic.” Discuss. (2014)
5. Explain Britain’s ouster from EU and bring out its consequences on world economy in general and India in particular. (2016)
6. Explain India’s relations with the European Union in the context of Brexit. (2021)

C. India–Japan

1. Comment: Emerging areas of co-operation between India and Japan. (2005)
2. Examine the recent developments in India-Japan relationship. (150 words) (2013)
3. Evaluate the recent changes in Indo–Japan relations. (2014)
4. Do you subscribe to the idea that in the new evolving Asian dynamics, Japan and India have not only moved closer in economic cooperation, but also in strategic partnership? (2017)
5. Do you agree that the growing assertiveness of China is leading to multilayered Indo-Japan relations? Comment. (2018)
6. What are the notable features of the recently concluded pact or the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) between India and Japan? How is it likely to address the security concerns of India? (2020)

D. India–China

1. Examine the changes in China’s India policy in 1990’s. Do you attribute these changes to the altered global environment or to the domestic factors? (1996)
2. Examine the recent developments in Sino-Indian relations. (2002)
3. Comment: Impact of Sino-Indian conflict of 1962 on International Politics. (2003)
4. ‘The relationship between India and China is characterised by high levels of conflict and cooperation.’ Comment. (2008)
5. Do you think that India should sign a treaty with China on water sharing of Brahmaputra River, similar to what she did with Nepal and other neighbouring states? (2011)
6. Is there any linkage between a shift in China’s relations with Japan to a perceived shift in her relations with India? Examine in the light of China’s so-called ‘anti-encirclement struggle’. (150 words) (2012)
7. “Some of the major changes that occurred in India’s foreign policy after the Sino–India war in 1962 were within the larger framework of continuity.” Discuss. (2014)
8. Illustrate the main causes of tension between India and China. Suggest the possibilities of improving relationship. (2016)
9. How is the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ of China going to affect India-China relations? (2017)
10. Critically assess the evolving convergence of India and China in the areas of trade and environment. (2018)
11. Describe briefly China’s ‘One Belt One Road (OBOR)’ Initiative and analyze India’s major concerns. (2019)
12. What are the current issues in Brahmaputra River water sharing between India and China? (2019)
13. Critically examine India’s position on South China Sea Dispute. (2019)
14. Explain the defence and foreign policy options of India to address the challenges emerging out of the current India-China standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). (2020)
15. Examine the Geo-strategic points of contention in the bilateral relationship between India and China. (2021)
16. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) performs an important role in India’s strategic balancing act to withstand the dominance of China in Asia. Discuss. (2023)
17. Does the idea of the 21st century as ‘Asian century’ continue to remain feasible given the growing friction between India and China? (2024)

E. India–Russia

1. Comment: Indo-Russian Summit 1997. (1999)
2. Comment: Areas of cooperation between India and Russia. (2003)
3. Discuss the present state of Indo-Russian relations. (2006)
4. Analyse the drivers of Indo-Russian relations in the post-Cold-War era. (2014)
5. The recent differences between India and Russia are the result of misconceptions than facts. Elucidate. (2017)
6. ‘Relations between India and Russia are rooted in history, mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.’ Discuss. (2021)
7. Arms trade, economic ties and congruent geo-political interests are no longer the three pillars of India–Russia relationship in the emerging strategic context. Comment. (2023)