Mains

19 questions

#	Question	Microtheme	Year	UPSC Syllabus	Marks	GS Paper	Subject
Bilateral Relations
1	India–Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate.	Bilateral Relations	2025	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2	International Relations
2	Discuss the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of Maldives for India with a focus on global trade and energy flows. Further also discuss how this relationship affects India's maritime security and regional stability amidst international competition?	Bilateral Relations	2024	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2	International Relations
3	What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.	Bilateral Relations	2020	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	15.0	GS2	International Relations
4	‘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.	Bilateral Relations	2019	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2	International Relations
5	“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.	Bilateral Relations	2019	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	15.0	GS2	International Relations
6	India's relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back." Discuss.	Bilateral Relations	2018	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2	International Relations
7	Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine.	Bilateral Relations	2015	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	12.5	GS2	International Relations
8	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.	Bilateral Relations	2014	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	12.5	GS2	International Relations
9	Economic ties between India and Japan, while growing in recent years, are still far below their potential. Elucidate the policy constraints which are inhibiting this growth.	Bilateral Relations	2013	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2	International Relations
GroupingsXNeighbourhood
10	Critically analyse India's evolving diplomatic, economic and strategic relations with the Central Asian Republics (CARs) highlighting their increasing significance in regional and global geopolitics.	GroupingsXNeighbourhood	2024	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2	International Relations
11	‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’. In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating problems.	GroupingsXNeighbourhood	2023	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2	International Relations
12	Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation?	GroupingsXNeighbourhood	2022	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2	International Relations
13	Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?	GroupingsXNeighbourhood	2021	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	15.0	GS2	International Relations
14	Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India's Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario.	GroupingsXNeighbourhood	2016	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	12.5	GS2	International Relations
15	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.	GroupingsXNeighbourhood	2016	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	12.5	GS2	International Relations
GroupingsXRegional
16	How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India's position in global politics ?	GroupingsXRegional	2022	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	15.0	GS2	International Relations
17	“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.	GroupingsXRegional	2021	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2	International Relations
18	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 strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario.	GroupingsXRegional	2021	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	15.0	GS2	International Relations
19	‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)’ is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times – Discuss.	GroupingsXRegional	2020	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	15.0	GS2	International Relations