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Predicted Questions with Model Answers
Q1 (5 marks — 50 words): What are the key principles of India's "Neighbours First" policy?
Answer (EN): "Neighbours First" policy, formalised under PM Modi (2014), prioritises South Asian neighbourhood relations — rooted in the Gujral Doctrine (1996). Key principles: asymmetric generosity (India gives more without demanding reciprocity), connectivity-led integration (roads, railways, pipelines), India as preferred development partner (Lines of Credit), and treating neighbourhood as India's extended market for economic growth.
Q2 (5 marks — 50 words): Explain India's Act East Policy. How is it different from Look East Policy?
Answer (EN): "Look East" Policy (1991, PM Narasimha Rao) focused on economic integration with ASEAN — trade and investment linkages. "Act East" Policy (2014, PM Modi) upgraded it: deeper military engagement, physical connectivity (Kaladan project, India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway), cultural diplomacy (Buddhist links), and extending to East Asia (Japan, South Korea, Australia). QUAD membership reflects Act East's strategic depth.
Q3 (5 marks — 50 words): What is the significance of India's G20 Presidency in 2023?
Answer (EN): India's G20 Presidency (December 2022 – November 2023) under theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" produced historic outcomes: African Union admitted as permanent G20 member; India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) announced; Global Biofuels Alliance launched; New Delhi Declaration unanimously adopted including Ukraine language. Demonstrated India's leadership as voice of Global South and a "Vishwamitra" (world's friend).
Q4 (10 marks — 150 words): Discuss the role of Indian diaspora in India's foreign policy. Cite examples.
Answer (EN): India's 32-million strong diaspora across 110+ countries functions as a strategic diplomatic asset with three main dimensions.
Economic bridge: Remittances of $125 billion (2023) — world's largest — fund household consumption, education, and entrepreneurship in origin states. Indian-Americans in Silicon Valley facilitate technology partnerships (iCET 2023 leveraged diaspora networks). Marwari businessmen in the Gulf underpin India-UAE trade ($85 billion annually, with CEPA).
Political influence: Indian-Americans include 15+ members of US Congress, tech CEOs (Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella), and federal officials — creating a natural constituency for India-US ties. UK's Indian-origin PM Rishi Sunak (2022–24) accelerated India-UK FTA negotiations. Mauritius' large Indian-origin population (68%) makes India its strongest bilateral partner.
Cultural soft power: Diaspora carries yoga, Indian cuisine, Bollywood, and religious practices globally — creating cultural familiarity that enables easier diplomatic communication.
Institutional framework: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (9 January annually), Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, OCI card (4 million+ holders), Know India Programme for diaspora youth, and MEA's Diaspora Services Division manage diaspora relations.
Challenges: Brain drain vs. brain gain debate; protecting diaspora workers (especially domestic workers in GCC); tensions with local populations (anti-Indian sentiments in some Pacific nations, East Africa).
Q5 (5 marks — 50 words): What are the key instruments of India's cultural diplomacy?
Answer (EN): India's cultural diplomacy uses five instruments: (1) International Yoga Day (21 June, UN resolution 2014; 190+ countries) as wellness soft power; (2) ICCR (1950) — 37 cultural centres, 3,200+ scholarships; (3) Buddhism circuit (Nalanda University, Buddhist pilgrimage) for Asian Buddhist nations; (4) Bollywood — cultural familiarity globally; (5) Indian cuisine and festivals creating cultural affinity in diaspora host countries.
Q6 (10 marks — 150 words): Critically examine India-China relations since 2020. What is the current status?
Answer (EN): India-China relations entered a new low following the Galwan Valley clash of 15 June 2020 — the deadliest border confrontation since 1967. Twenty Indian soldiers were killed; China admitted fewer casualties. The incident shattered the "trust-based LAC management" framework of the 2005 Agreement on Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity.
India's response: Banned 300+ Chinese apps (TikTok, UCBrowser, PUBG); tightened FDI screening from China (Press Note 3/2020 requiring government approval for investments from land-bordering countries); restricted Chinese telecom equipment in critical infrastructure; increased LAC infrastructure development at record pace.
Diplomatic trajectory: Despite tensions, bilateral trade hit $136 billion (2023) — underscoring economic interdependence that neither side wants to disrupt. India maintained active dialogue through corps commander-level talks (20+ rounds since 2020) and diplomatic channels.
Normalisation (2024): October 2024 patrolling agreement at 4 friction points (Depsang, Demchok, Gogra-Hotsprings, PP15 area) created buffer zones. PM Modi and President Xi bilateral at BRICS Kazan summit — first formal bilateral in 5 years — signalled cautious de-escalation. Both sides agreed to "not allow differences to become disputes."
Structural challenges: Boundary dispute is fundamentally unresolved; China's BRI in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar encircles India; power asymmetry is growing in China's favour; Taiwan and South China Sea tensions create indirect pressure.
Conclusion: India pursues a three-track China policy: vigorous border defence + economic diversification reducing dependence + selective dialogue to prevent accidental escalation. "Strategic competition with guardrails" is the operating framework.