Great-power contest
- US–China strategic rivalry — tech export controls, chip alliances.
- Russia's turn East — energy pricing and Arctic access.
- 'Multi-polar Asia' as India's stated preference.
Regional flashpoints
- Ukraine war — food, fuel, fertiliser prices; UNSC diplomacy.
- West Asia — Israel-Gaza; Iran-Saudi thaw; energy security.
- Myanmar — refugee inflow, border insecurity.
Supply chains & tech
- Semiconductors — Chip 4, Quad supply-chain resilience, India Semiconductor Mission.
- Rare earths — 60% China share; India-Australia critical minerals partnership.
- AI governance — Bletchley, Seoul, India's role in GPAI.
Global commons
- Indo-Pacific — Quad + IPMDA; SAGAR/MAHASAGAR doctrine.
- Arctic — India's revised Arctic Policy 2022.
- Climate & oceans — G20 Delhi Declaration, BBNJ Treaty.
Common Pitfalls
- Do not moralise the Ukraine question — cite 'issue-based positions'.
- Avoid treating Indo-Pacific as an anti-China bloc; India's framing is inclusive.
FAQs
- Best summary phrase?
- 'Multi-alignment for strategic autonomy in a poly-crisis world.'
UPSC Mains PYQs on this microtheme
- With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sover- eign nationalism. Elucidate.📅 2025 · 📌 10
- The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China’s political and economic dominance.’ Explain this statement with examples.📅 2024 · 📌 10
- ‘The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well in India.’ What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.📅 2023 · 📌 15
- “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.📅 2019 · 📌 15
- A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018.📅 2018 · 📌 10
- In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the nation- al interest of India? How should India respond to this situation?📅 2018 · 📌 15
- ‘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.📅 2017 · 📌 10
- The proposed withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Af- ghanistan 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.📅 2013 · 📌 10
- What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.📅 2013 · 📌 10