International Relation Topicwise PYQs
Syllabus Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
- ‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor. [UPSC-2017]
- “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of several member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples. [UPSC-2016]
- Project `Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationship with its neighbors. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss. [UPSC-2015]
- Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India-Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries? Discuss with suitable examples. [UPSC-2015]
- With respect to the South China sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China. [UPSC-2014]
- The proposed withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests. [UPSC-2013]
- What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this. [UPSC-2013]
- The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India? [UPSC-2013]
- Discuss the political developments in Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India? [UPSC-2013]
- In respect of India — Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy. [UPSC-2013]
- What is meant by Gujral doctrine? Does it have any relevance today? Discuss. [UPSC-2013]
Syllabus Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
- “If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa’s.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years. [UPSC-2021]
- “The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” [UPSC-2021]
- ‘The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnership that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole.’ Comment. (‘भारत और जापान के लिए समय आ गया है की एक ऐसे मजबूत समसामयिक संबंध का निर्माण करें, जिसका वैश्विक एवं रणनीतिक साझेदारी को आवेष्टित करते हुए एशिया एवं सम्पूर्ण विश्व के लिए बड़ा महत्व होगा |’ टिपण्णी कीजिए | ) [UPSC-2019]
- “The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised Nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order”. Elaborate. (‘उभरती हुई वैश्विक व्यवस्था में, भारत द्वारा प्राप्त नव-भूमिका कारण, उत्पीड़ित एवं उपेक्षित राष्ट्रों के मुखिया के रूप में दीर्घ काल से संपोषित भारत की पहचान लुप्त हो गई है |’ विस्तार से समझाइये | ) [UPSC-2019]
- “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. (‘भारत और यूनाइटेड स्टेट्स के बीच संबंधो में खटास के प्रवेश का कारण वाशिंगटन का अपनी वैश्विक रणनीति में अभी तक भी भारत के लिए किसी ऐसे स्थान की खोज करने में विफलता है, जो भारत के आत्म-समादर और महत्वाकांक्षा को संतुष्ट कर सके |’ उपयुक्त उदाहरणों के साथ स्पष्ट कीजिए | )[UPSC-2019]
- In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation? [UPSC-2018]
- ‘India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss.[UPSC-2018]
- The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. [UPSC-2017]
- Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario. [UPSC-2016]
- Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine. [UPSC-2015]
- Economic ties between India and Japan while growing in the recent years are still far below their potential. Elucidate the policy constraints which are inhibiting this growth. [UPSC-2013]
Syllabus Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
- The newly tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strenght and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario. [UPSC-2021]
- Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. what importance does it hold for India. [UPSC-2021]
- ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)’ is the transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times – Discuss. [UPSC-2020]
- What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. [UPSC-2020]
- Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the COVID-19 pandemic. [UPSC-2020]
- ‘Too little cash, too much politics, leaves UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in the light of US’ withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti-Israel bias’. (‘आवश्यकता से कम नगदी, अत्यधिक राजनीति ने यूनेस्को को जीवन-रक्षण की स्थिति में पहुंचा दिया है |’ अमेरिका द्वारा सदस्यता परित्याग करने और सांस्कृतिक संस्था पर ‘इजराइल विरोधी पूर्वाग्रह’ होने का दोषारोपण करने के प्रकाश में इस कथन की विवेचना कीजिए | ) [UPSC-2019]
- A number or outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone to interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement. [UPSC-2018]
- What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? [UPSC-2018]
- “The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries.” Discuss in the Indian perspective. [UPSC-2016]
- What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it. [UPSC-2017]
- What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of the UNESCO? What is India’s position on these? [UPSC-2016]
- Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in UN Security Council. [UPSC-2015]
- The aim of Information Technology Agreements (ITAs) is to lower all taxes and tariffs on information technology products by signatories to zero. What impact should such agreements have on India’s interests? [UPSC-2014]
- Some of the International funding agencies have special terms for economic participation stipulating a substantial component of the aid to be used for sourcing equipment from the leading countries. Discuss on merits of such terms and if, there exists a strong case not to accept such conditions in the Indian context.[UPSC-2014]
- India has recently signed to become founding a New Development Bank (NDB) and also the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) .How will the role of the two Banks be different? Discuss the significance of these two Banks for India. [UPSC-2014]
- WTO is an important international institution where decisions taken affect countries in profound manner. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are their decisions? Critically analyse India’s stand on the latest round of talks on Food security. [UPSC-2014]
- The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions and mandate are distinctly different. Elucidate. [UPSC-2013]
Syllabus Topic: Indian diaspora.
- ‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. [UPSC-2020]
- Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries’ economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South- East Asia in this context. [UPSC-2017]
