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India in World Affairs

Part of the KPSC KAS study roadmap. General Studies topic histor-010 of General Studies.

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India in World Affairs

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India in World Affairs — Key Facts for KPSC KAS • Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): Founded 1961 in Belgrade; Nehru, Nasser, Tito as founders; India was founding member; 120+ member countries; based on Panchsheel principles. • Indo-Pak Wars: 1965 (Rann of Kutch,Operation Retribution,September attacks in Kashmir); 1971 (Bangladesh Liberation War — Mukti Bahini, Indian Army, defeat of Pakistan, surrender at Dhaka); 1971 Treaty with Soviet Union vs US-Pakistan-China axis. • Sino-Indian War (1962): Aksai Chin dispute; NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh) dispute; Chinese attack in October; humiliating defeat; Nehru’s “Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai” slogan shattered; 13 battalions engaged; ended November 1962 ceasefire. • Look East Policy: P.V. Narasimha Rao (1991) initiated; aimed at deepening engagement with Southeast Asia; counter-weight to China; evolved into Act East Policy (Narendra Modi, 2014). • Karnataka’s external connections: Mangalore port trade with Gulf countries; Karnataka’s diaspora in USA, UK, Middle East; Udupi cuisine and Kannada diaspora across globe.

⚡ Exam tip: KPSC KAS frequently asks about Indo-Pak wars, NAM, and foreign policy evolution. Questions on 1971 Bangladesh war, the Sino-Indian war, and Act East Policy are common.

🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)

Standard content.

India in World Affairs — KPSC KAS Study Guide

India’s Foreign Policy: Evolution and Challenges

Nehru Era and NAM (1947-1964)

Panchsheel (1954):

  • Sino-Indian agreement on principles of coexistence
  • Five principles: Mutual respect for sovereignty; non-aggression; non-interference; equality; peaceful coexistence
  • Used as basis for NAM principles

NAM Foundation:

  • 1961 Belgrade Conference: India, Egypt, Yugoslavia — founders; 120+ member countries
  • Nehru’s vision: Independent path between US and Soviet blocs; sovereignty and non-interference principles
  • At Bandung (1955): Nehru participated; Afro-Asian solidarity; supported independence of colonies

Limitations of Nehru’s Policy:

  • Idealistic: Assumed goodwill could resolve disputes; reality was power politics
  • Sino-Indian War (1962): China attacked; Nehru refused to accept threat; unprepared military
  • Military unpreparedness: Defense spending kept low; Himalayan frontier vulnerable

Indo-Pak Wars and Their Consequences

1965 War:

  • Rann of Kutch (April 1965): Border skirmish in Gujarat; Pakistan claimed territory
  • Operation Gibraltar (August 1965): Pakistan sent infiltrators into Kashmir; Operation Grand Slam (Jammu)
  • In Indian response: Indian Army crossed international border; battles at Akhnoor, Chhamb; Lahore front
  • Tashkent Agreement (January 1966): Ayub Khan and Shastri signed; status quo ante bellum; ceasefire

1971 War — Bangladesh Liberation:

  • Background: Pakistan’s 1970 elections; Awami League under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won majority; Pakistan Army refused to transfer power; launched Operation Searchlight (March 25, 1971); genocide of Bengali population
  • Indian involvement: 10 million refugees in India; training for Mukti Bahini (Bangladesh Liberation Army); Indian Army crossed border December 3, 1971
  • Fall of Dhaka (December 16, 1971): Pakistan Army surrendered; 93,000 prisoners of war; Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Arora commanded Indian forces
  • Bangladesh created: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became first Prime Minister

1971 Treaty and Geopolitics:

  • Indo-Soviet Treaty (August 1971): 20-year treaty of peace and cooperation; strategic counter to US-Pakistan-China axis
  • US tilt toward Pakistan: Nixon and Kissinger supported Pakistan despite genocide; USS Enterprise sent to Bay of Bengal
  • China: Quiet during 1971 war; border negotiations suspended; recognized Bangladesh in 1975

Sino-Indian War (1962)

Background:

  • McMahon Line: Drawn by British at Simla Conference (1913-1914); Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin disputed
  • China’s position: Did not accept McMahon Line; disputed Arunachal Pradesh (South Tibet)
  • India’s position: Accepted McMahon Line as international border; Tibet was buffer

War Timeline:

  • October 20, 1962: Chinese forces crossed McMahon Line in NEFA and Aksai Chin simultaneously
  • November 19, 1962: Ceasefire; Chinese forces advanced up to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh (then withdrew)
  • Impact: 1,383 Indian soldiers killed; major humiliation; China’s message of strength delivered

Aftermath:

  • Establishment of Mountain Divisions: Indian Army restructured; mountain warfare capability developed
  • Himalayan Security concerns: China’s strategic advantage in border areas
  • Shelved negotiations: Sino-Indian talks suspended for decades

🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)

Comprehensive coverage.

India in World Affairs — Comprehensive KPSC KAS Notes

Modern Foreign Policy: From Look East to Act East

Look East Policy to Act East Policy

Look East Policy (1991):

  • PV Narasimha Rao launched; deepen engagement with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
  • Objectives: Economic integration; counter Pakistani and Chinese influence; access to Pacific markets
  • Significance: Shift from NAM idealism to pragmatic engagement
  • India’s ASEAN Summit: Started 2012; upgraded to strategic partnership

Act East Policy (2014):

  • Narendra Modi announced at ASEAN Summit (2014); evolved from Look East to Act East
  • Broader scope: East Asia + Pacific; includes Japan, South Korea, Australia, Pacific Island nations
  • Key components: Trade and investment; connectivity; cultural links; defense cooperation

India-China Relations:

  • Border standoff (2020): LAC tensions; Galwan valley clash (June 2020) — 20 Indian soldiers killed; Chinese casualties unknown
  • Trade imbalance: $130 billion trade deficit with China (2022); heavily imbalanced
  • Economic dependence on Chinese investments: Manufacturing sector concerns
  • Quad formation: India, USA, Japan, Australia — strategic grouping in Indo-Pacific

India’s Strategic Partnerships

United States:

  • Civil nuclear deal (2008): Historic agreement; NSG waiver; civil nuclear cooperation
  • Strategic partnership: Major defense partner; $20+ billion in defense purchases (C-130J, P-8I, Apache, Chinook)
  • Trade: $128 billion bilateral trade (2022); disputes over tariffs
  • Diaspora: 4 million Indian-Americans; strong political influence

Russia:

  • Soviet legacy: 70% of Indian military hardware from Russia/Soviet Union; MiG, Sukhoi, T-72 tanks
  • S-400 missile defense system: $5.4 billion purchase; ongoing despite US CAATSA sanctions
  • Energy: Rosneft etc.; oil imports from Russia (increased after Ukraine war)

Israel:

  • Defense cooperation: Major arms supplier; Barak missiles, UAVs, surveillance equipment
  • Agricultural technology: Israel cooperation in agriculture; water management
  • Diplomatic caution: Maintaining balance with Arab world; Palestinian issue

India-Pakistan Relations

Kashmir Dispute:

  • Disputed territory: Since 1947; three wars; multiple UN Resolutions calling for plebiscite
  • Article 370 abrogation (August 2019): India revoked J&K’s special status; bifurcated into two Union Territories; Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties
  • Current tensions: Cross-border terrorism; LOC firing; India’s surgical strikes (2016); Balakot airstrike (2019)

Trade Relations:

  • MFN status: India granted Most Favored Nation status to Pakistan in 1996; Pakistan never reciprocated
  • Trade through third countries: Informal trade continues despite no official trade relations
  • Pulwama-Balakot (2019): JeM terrorist attack on CRPF convoy; India responded with Balakot airstrike

India’s Global Leadership

International Organizations:

  • UN Security Council: Permanent seat aspirant; G4 coalition (India, Germany, Japan, Brazil) seeking reform; Veto power with P5 members
  • WTO: Active participant; defending trade interests; disputes with US, EU
  • World Bank/IMF: India’s stake in these institutions growing; key voice for developing nations

Climate and Environment Leadership:

  • Paris Agreement (2015): India’s INDC: 40% non-fossil fuel energy by 2030; 45% emission intensity reduction
  • Net Zero by 2070: Announced at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021)
  • International Solar Alliance (ISA): India and France launched 2015; 121 member countries; solar energy cooperation

Karnataka’s Role in External Affairs:

  • Mangalore Port: Trading with Middle East, Europe; gateway to Arabian Sea
  • Diaspora: Kannadigas in USA, UK, Middle East; remittances flow to Karnataka
  • Udupi cuisine’s global spread: Udupi restaurants worldwide; Karnataka’s soft power

India-Bangladesh Relations

1971 War and Bangladesh’s Creation:

  • India played decisive role in Bangladesh’s liberation (as described above)
  • Bangladesh’s first Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman expressed gratitude

Post-Liberation Development:

  • Boundary settlement (2015): Land boundary agreement resolved enclaves and adverse possessions; ratified parliaments
  • Cooperation: Water sharing (Ganga water treaty 1996; successful); economic ties; connectivity
  • Trade: $10+ billion bilateral trade; Bangladesh as India’s largest trade partner in South Asia

Examination Strategy

KPSC KAS commonly asks:

  1. Explain the evolution of India’s foreign policy from NAM to Act East
  2. Analyse the causes and consequences of the 1971 Indo-Pak war
  3. Discuss the Sino-Indian war and its aftermath
  4. Evaluate India’s strategic partnerships (USA, Russia, Israel)
  5. Examine India’s role in international organizations

Key distinctions:

  • NAM (idealistic, non-aligned) vs Look East/Act East (pragmatic, strategic)
  • 1965 war (limited conflict) vs 1971 war (comprehensive liberation)
  • Indo-Soviet treaty vs Indo-US strategic partnership (different eras, different strategic contexts)
  • Article 370 (internal matter) vs Kashmir dispute (international dimension)

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