International Relations › Bilateral Relations

1. Major World Events
2. India’s Interests in neighbourhood
3. Effects of our Policies

Mains questions by International Relations microtheme

10 questions

#	Question	Year	UPSC Syllabus	Marks	GS Paper
2025
1	India–Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate.	2025	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2
2024
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?	2024	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2
2020
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.	2020	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	15.0	GS2
2019
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.	2019	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2
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.	2019	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	15.0	GS2
2018
6	India's relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back." Discuss.	2018	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2
2015
7	Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine.	2015	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	12.5	GS2
2014
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.	2014	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	12.5	GS2
2013
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.	2013	GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.	10.0	GS2
10	Discuss the political developments in Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India?	2013	GS2-17.India and its neighborhood- relations.	10.0	GS2