INDIA & THE WORLD – SHORT NOTES

1. INTRODUCTION: INDIA’S GLOBAL POSITION

India is the world’s largest democracy, 5th largest economy, nuclear-armed nation, a space power, a founding member of many international organizations, and an emerging global influencer.

India’s foreign policy is guided by:

Peaceful coexistence
Mutual respect
Non-interference
Sovereignty of nations
International cooperation
Multilateralism

India follows “Strategic Autonomy”, meaning independent decision-making without alliance dependence.

2. FUNDAMENTALS OF INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY

2.1 Panchsheel Principles (1954)

Signed between India & China. Five principles:

Mutual respect for sovereignty
Mutual non-aggression
Mutual non-interference
Equality & cooperation
Peaceful coexistence

2.2 Non-Alignment Movement (NAM)

Founded by:

Jawaharlal Nehru (India)
Tito (Yugoslavia)
Nasser (Egypt)
Sukarno (Indonesia)
Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana)

India remains an important voice for developing nations.

2.3 Neighbourhood First Policy

Focus on:

Strengthening ties
Regional stability
Development partnership

Neighbours: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan.

2.4 Act East Policy

Launched in 2014; aims to enhance political, cultural, economic ties with:

ASEAN
Japan
Australia
South Korea
East Asia

2.5 Look West Policy

Focus:

Gulf nations
Israel
Iran
Energy security
Diaspora welfare

3. INDIA & ITS NEIGHBOURS

3.1 India–Pakistan

Strained relations due to Kashmir, terrorism, border issues.
Wars: 1947, 1965, 1971, 1999 (Kargil).
Major agreements:
- Simla Agreement (1972)
- Lahore Declaration (1999)

India supports peace but demands end to terrorism.

3.2 India–China

Relations affected by border disputes: Aksai Chin, Arunachal Pradesh.
1962 War; Galwan clash (2020).
Cooperation in BRICS, SCO.
Trade imbalance heavily in China’s favor.

3.3 India–Bangladesh

Most improved bilateral relationship.

Key points:

Land Boundary Agreement (2015).
Cooperation in trade, water sharing, border security.
Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in South Asia.

3.4 India–Nepal

Cultural, religious, historical links.
Treaty of Peace & Friendship (1950).
Open border.
Issues: Kalapani boundary dispute.

3.5 India–Bhutan

Strongest and closest ally.
Hydropower cooperation.
India supports Bhutan’s development plans.

3.6 India–Sri Lanka

Cultural & economic ties.
Issues: fishermen dispute, Tamil ethnic issue.
India’s investment in ports, railways, infrastructure.

3.7 India–Myanmar

Gateway to Southeast Asia.
Important for Act East Policy.
Cooperation in counter-insurgency & connectivity (Kaladan Project).

3.8 India–Afghanistan

India is one of the biggest regional donors.
Development projects: Parliament building, dams, roads.
Taliban takeover in 2021 changed ground reality.

3.9 India–Maldives

Defence cooperation.
Tourism & trade links.
India’s “Operation Cactus” helped stabilize the Maldives (1988).

4. INDIA & MAJOR GLOBAL POWERS

4.1 India–USA

One of India’s most important strategic partnerships.

Areas of cooperation:

Defence (COMCASA, BECA agreements)
Counter-terrorism
Energy
Space (NASA–ISRO)
Quad partnership
Trade and technology

Indian diaspora is the largest in the US.

4.2 India–Russia

Trusted partner since Cold War.
Defence: S-400, submarines, aircraft.
Space: Gaganyaan support.
Energy cooperation.

4.3 India–Japan

Major investor in India (Bullet Train Project).
Cooperation in technology, trade, infrastructure.
Key partner in Indo-Pacific strategy.

4.4 India–European Union

Trade & investment partner.
Cooperation in climate, education, clean energy.
FTA negotiations ongoing.

4.5 India–UK

Historical linkages.
Cooperation in education, defence, startups.
FTA discussions.
Large Indian diaspora.

4.6 India–France

Strong defence ties (Rafale aircraft).
Cooperation in space, civil nuclear, Indo-Pacific.
France supports India's global roles.

4.7 India–Israel

Defence technology
Agriculture
Cyber security
Water management

Israel is a key defence supplier for India.

4.8 India–Middle East

UAE, Saudi Arabia major oil suppliers.
Large Indian workforce.
Investment in India increasing.
Key partner in counter-terrorism.

5. INDIA IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

5.1 United Nations (UN)

Founding member.
Largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping.
Strong candidate for UN Security Council permanent membership.

India supports:

Global peace
Climate justice
Sustainable development

5.2 G20

India is a prominent voice for the Global South.
Hosted G20 Summit in New Delhi (2023).
Key themes:

Digital infrastructure
Climate finance
Global economic stability

5.3 BRICS

Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (expanded in 2024).
Focus areas:

Financial cooperation
New Development Bank
Multilateral reform

5.4 SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation)

Regional cooperation on security, terrorism, trade.
India became full member in 2017.

5.5 QUAD

Members: India, USA, Japan, Australia.
Focus:

Indo-Pacific security
Maritime cooperation
Supply chain resilience

5.6 Commonwealth

India is an active member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

5.7 ASEAN & India

Strategic partnership.
India participates in ASEAN Regional Forum.
Important for Act East Policy.

6. INDIA & INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Key global security roles:

Anti-terrorism operations
Peacekeeping missions
Anti-piracy patrols
Nuclear non-proliferation

India advocates zero tolerance for terrorism.

India is a member of:

MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime)
Wassenaar Arrangement
Australia Group

Not part of:

Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) (China blocks entry)

7. INDIA’S ECONOMIC & TRADE RELATIONS

India has strong trade partnerships with:

USA
China
UAE
Saudi Arabia
EU
ASEAN
Japan
South Korea

Major exports:

Petroleum products
IT services
Pharmaceuticals
Machinery
Textiles

Major imports:

Crude oil
Electronics
Gold
Machinery

FDI inflow from:

Singapore
USA
UAE
Netherlands
Japan

8. INDIA'S SOFT POWER

India is a global leader in soft power through:

Yoga & Ayurveda
Bollywood
Indian cuisine
Diaspora influence
Cricket diplomacy
Spirituality & culture

International Yoga Day: 21 June (UN declared).

9. MAJOR INTERNATIONAL TREATIES & AGREEMENTS

Paris Climate Agreement (2015)
Kyoto Protocol
Montreal Protocol
UN Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
Civil Nuclear Agreements (USA, France, Canada)

India advocates sustainable growth and climate justice.

10. INDIA’S SPACE DIPLOMACY

ISRO is one of the world’s leading space agencies.

Key points:

Launched satellites for many countries
South Asia Satellite (2017)
Chandrayaan mission, Mangalyaan mission
Collaboration with NASA, France, Japan

11. DIASPORA DIPLOMACY

Indian diaspora strength: 32 million, world’s largest.

Countries with major Indian population:

USA
UAE
Saudi Arabia
UK
Canada
Australia
South Africa

Diaspora contributes to:

Remittances
Global influence
Bilateral cooperation

12. HIGH-YIELD EXAM ONE-LINERS

Panchsheel Agreement: India–China (1954)
SAARC formed in 1985, HQ: Kathmandu
India's closest ally: Bhutan
India’s Act East Policy focuses on ASEAN
G20 Summit 2023 hosted by India
India’s nuclear doctrine: No First Use (NFU)
Largest contributor to UN Peacekeeping: India
BRICS bank: New Development Bank (Shanghai)
India’s first strategic partner: Russia
India–US defence agreement: COMCASA, BECA, LEMOA
India–Japan “Free & Open Indo-Pacific” vision
Taliban takeover affected India–Afghanistan relations
India and Israel share strong defence cooperation

CONCLUSION

India has transitioned from a regional player to a global strategic power. Its foreign policy combines diplomatic balance, economic growth, strategic partnerships, and leadership in global issues such as climate change, peacekeeping, and multilateral cooperation.

India’s international role continues to expand across:

Security
Trade
Technology
Space
Climate diplomacy

Understanding India & the World is crucial for GS, current affairs, international relations, and foreign policy sections in competitive exams.

India & The World Short Notes | Foreign Relations & International Affairs for Competitive Exams