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Foundations of International Relations

  • International Relations — Study of relationships between countries, including roles of states, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multinational corporations (MNCs).
  • Nation State — A sovereign state whose citizens share common culture, history, and language.
  • Sovereignty — Supreme authority of a state over its territory and population.
  • National Interest — Goals and ambitions of a state (security, economic growth, influence).
  • Powers in IR — Hard power (military, economic) vs. Soft power (culture, diplomacy).
  • Diplomacy — Art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations.

Key Theories

  • Realism — States are main actors, power is central, international system is anarchic.
  • Liberalism — Emphasizes cooperation, international institutions, and interdependence.
  • Constructivism — Focuses on ideas, identities, and social constructs shaping IR.

Major Global Organizations

United Nations (UN)

  • Established — 1945
  • Purpose — Maintain international peace and security, promote human rights, foster development.
  • General Assembly — Deliberative assembly of all member states. o
  • Security Council — 15 members (5 permanent with veto – USA, UK, Russia, China, France).
  • International Court of Justice(ICJ) — judicial organ
  • Secretariat — Administrative organ headed by the Secretary-General.
  • Specialized Agencies — WHO, UNESCO, IMF, World Bank, ILO, FAO.
  • India’s Role — Founding member, major contributor to peacekeeping, advocates for UNSC reform.

G20

  • Members:19 countries + EU
  • Purpose: Forum for international economic cooperation.
  • India’s Presidency: 2023 – Theme: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – One Earth, One Family, One Future. Key outcomes: Green Development Pact, inclusion of African Union.

BRICS

  • Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa + new members (2024): Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE.
  • Purpose: Enhance cooperation among emerging economies, challenge Western dominance.
  • Initiatives: New Development Bank (NDB), Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).

Regional Organizations

Organization Full Form Headquarters Key Purpose
ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations Jakarta, Indonesia Regional integration, economic growth, political stability.
EU European Union Brussels, Belgium Political and economic union, single market.
AU African Union Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Promote unity, economic development in Africa.
SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Kathmandu, Nepal Regional development (currently inactive).
SCO Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Beijing, China Security, economic, political cooperation in Eurasia. India is a member.
QUAD Quadrilateral Security Dialogue Informal Strategic dialogue between USA, India, Japan, Australia (Indo-Pacific stability).
I2U2 Israel, India, UAE, USA Informal Economic cooperation, food security, green energy.

India’s Foreign Policy

1. Principles & Evolution

  • Panchsheel (1954): Five principles of peaceful coexistence.
  • Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): During Cold War, not joining any power bloc.
  • Gujral Doctrine (1996): Unilateral concessions to neighbors for better relations.
  • Neighbourhood First Policy: Priority to relations with immediate neighbors.
  • Act East Policy (2014): Enhanced engagement with Southeast Asia and East Asia.
  • Think West Policy: Engagement with West Asia (Gulf countries).
  • SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): Vision for Indian Ocean region.

2. Major Relationships

  • USA: Strategic partnership (Defense agreements: LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA), trade ties.
  • Russia: Historical partner, defense cooperation (BrahMos, S-400), energy.
  • China: Complex relation — trade ties but border disputes (Galwan 2020), competition in Indo-Pacific.
  • Pakistan: Persistent issues — Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, water disputes.
  • Bangladesh: Strong ties, resolution of land boundary agreement, cooperation in power, connectivity.
  • Sri Lanka: Development projects, ethnic issue, fisheries dispute.
  • Nepal & Bhutan: Special relationships, open borders, hydropower cooperation.
  • West Asia (Gulf): Energy security, diaspora (remittances), strategic ties with UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel.

India's Foreign Policy Priorities

1. Neighbourhood First

  • Nepal: Boundary issues; hydropower cooperation
  • Maldives: “India Out” campaign; recalibration of ties
  • Bangladesh: Post-election cooperation; water sharing
  • Sri Lanka: Economic recovery support; security cooperation
  • Myanmar: Border fencing; counter-insurgency coordination

2. Act East Policy & Indo-Pacific

  • ASEAN Centrality: India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
  • Quad Deepening: Maritime domain awareness, HADR cooperation
  • Pacific Islands: Expanding diplomatic footprint

3. Central Asia & Eurasia

  • INSTC: Operationalisation via Chabahar route
  • SCO: Balancing China and Russia engagement
  • Connectivity: Trans-Caspian transport corridor

4. West Asia

  • Saudi Arabia & UAE: Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements
  • Israel: Defence, technology, and trade cooperation
  • Iran: Chabahar port; Afghanistan consultations

5. Europe

  • India-UK FTA: Long pending; improving prospects
  • India-EU: Trade & Technology Council; FTA negotiations
  • Nordic-Baltic: Strategic outreach

6. Africa

  • India-Africa Forum Summit: Expected around 2026
  • Development Partnership: Lines of credit, capacity building
  • Blue Economy: Indian Ocean Rim cooperation

7. Global South Advocacy

  • Voice of Global South Summits: Institutionalised platform
  • UNSC Reform: G4 coordination
  • International Solar Alliance: Expansion and leadership role

Major Multilateral Summits (2025–26)

1. G20 Summit 2026

  • Host: United States
  • Dates: November 2026 (tentative)
  • Venue: TBD (likely Los Angeles / New York)
  • Theme: Sustainable Development, Digital Economy, Global Health Security
  • India’s Status: Troika member (Brazil–India–South Africa)
  • Key Agenda:
    • UNSC, WTO, IFI reforms
    • Debt restructuring
    • Crypto regulation framework
    • Critical minerals supply chains
    • Climate finance post-2025
  • India’s Role: Global South advocacy, DPI promotion, LiFE initiative

2. G20 Summit 2025

  • Host: South Africa
  • Theme: Fostering Solidarity, Equality and Sustainable Development
  • Significance: First G20 summit in Africa
  • Outcome: African Union permanent membership operationalised

3. BRICS Summits

  • 2026 Host: China
  • Context: BRICS+ expansion phase
  • Agenda:
    • Local currency trade
    • NDB expansion
    • Counter-terror cooperation
    • Global governance reform
  • India Focus: Balance China, promote INSTC & Chabahar
  • 2025 Host: Brazil — NDB, climate, health cooperation

4. SCO Summits

  • 2026 Host: Kyrgyzstan
  • Agenda: Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, connectivity, energy security
  • India Stand: Strategic autonomy, counter-terror focus
  • 2025 Host: China — expansion & new observers expected

5. Quad Leaders’ Summits

  • Members: India, USA, Japan, Australia
  • 2025 Host: Japan
  • 2026 Host: India (tentative)
  • Core Pillars:
    • Maritime security
    • Critical technologies
    • Climate & clean supply chains
    • Infrastructure cooperation
  • India Role: Agenda setting, rules-based order, ASEAN centrality

6. COP31 (2026)

  • Event: UNFCCC COP31
  • Host: Eastern Europe / Asia-Pacific (TBD)
  • Agenda:
    • Global Stocktake 2.0
    • Climate finance goals
    • Loss & Damage Fund
    • Adaptation framework
  • India Position: Panchamrit progress, Net-Zero 2070, LiFE
  • COP16 Biodiversity: 30×30 target, $30B finance

7. WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14)

  • When/Where: Dec 2025 (tentative) — Cameroon
  • Agenda:
    • Dispute settlement reform
    • Fisheries subsidy rules
    • E-commerce moratorium debate
    • Agriculture & stockholding
  • India Stand: Protect food stockholding, oppose moratorium extension

8. World Economic Forum (WEF) – Davos

  • Annual meetings 2025 & 2026 — Davos
  • India participation — Ministers, CMs, industry
  • Telangana Focus: IT, pharma, innovation investments
  • Hyderabad global investment MoUs likely

9. Voice of Global South Summit

  • India initiative (since 2023)
  • Next edition likely 2026
  • Focus — debt, climate finance, tech access
  • Evolving into institutional platform

10. International Solar Alliance Assembly

  • 6th Assembly: 2025 — New Delhi (likely)
  • 7th Assembly: 2026 — TBD
  • Focus — solar scaling, OSOWOG, Africa solarisation
  • India — founding leader & major contributor

Geopolitical Conflicts & Security Crises

1. Russia–Ukraine War — Evolution into Frozen Conflict

  • 2025: Stalemate continues; sporadic frontline fighting
  • 2026: Possible ceasefire talks via Turkey / China / India mediation
  • Key Developments:
    • Europe-led reconstruction conferences (2025–26)
    • War crimes trials — ICC proceedings advance
  • India’s Stand: Calibrated neutrality, discounted Russian oil imports, defence diversification

2. Israel–Palestine — Post-October 7 Fallout

  • Gaza reconstruction needs $50B+; donor conferences expected
  • West Bank tensions; risk of third intifada
  • Saudi–Israel normalisation tied to two-state pathway
  • India’s Role: Supports two-state solution, provides humanitarian aid, balances Israel–Arab ties

3. South China Sea — Militarisation & Incidents

  • Chinese outposts and missile deployments continue
  • Naval incidents — collisions, laser targeting cases
  • Flashpoints (2025–26):
    • Second Thomas Shoal standoff risk
    • Taiwan Strait ADIZ incursions
  • India’s Position: Freedom of navigation, ASEAN centrality, peaceful resolution

4. Myanmar Civil War — Escalation & Spillover

  • Resistance groups control rural zones; junta holds cities
  • Risk of regime fragmentation or intervention debate
  • India’s Challenges:
    • Refugee influx — Mizoram, Manipur borders
    • Counter-insurgency coordination complexities
  • Relevance: National security policy dimension

5. Afghanistan — Humanitarian Crisis & Terror Threat

  • Food insecurity and women’s rights decline continue
  • ISIS-K threat expansion across region
  • India’s Engagement: Wheat & medicine aid, limited diplomacy, Chabahar access route

6. Sahel Region — Expanding Insurgency

  • Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger — military juntas
  • Russian Wagner influence rising
  • Anti-French sentiment surge
  • Risk of state collapse in a Sahel country
  • India’s Interest: UN peacekeeping roles, diaspora safety

7. Sudan — Civil War Continues

  • RSF vs SAF conflict fragmentation
  • Risk of partition or prolonged warlordism
  • India’s Concern: Evacuation readiness (Operation Kaveri precedent)