International Relations: World Geopolitics and India's Foreign Policy

Flashcards covering the evolution of the global order, major International Relations theories, key geopolitical phases, and the determinants, evolution, and instruments of India's foreign policy.

What 1648 treaty ended the Thirty Years' War and established the foundations of modern international law and the sovereign state system?

The Peace of Westphalia (1648), which established the principles of state sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.

According to this diagram of Realist theory, what are the seven sequential stages that lead from state survival to the balance of power?

1. Sovereignty, 2. Trust Deficit, 3. Offensive-Defensive Uncertainty, 4. Security Dilemma, 5. Self-Help, 6. Arms Race, and 7. Balance of Power.

What does the concept of 'International Anarchy' mean in International Relations theory?

It does not mean chaos; it means there is no world government above states, so no external authority can guarantee a state's safety except the state itself.

What is the 'Security Dilemma' in Realist international politics?

A situation where one state arms itself for defence, causing other states to feel threatened and arm as well, resulting in both ending up less secure even though neither wanted war.

Which 1918 framework provided a Liberal vision for post-war peace, and what primary institution resulted from it in 1920?

Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points (1918), which led to the creation of the League of Nations in 1920 to establish collective security.

Which two major acts of aggression in the 1930s exposed the League of Nations' inability to stop expansionist regimes?

Japan's invasion of Manchuria (1931) and Italy's invasion of Abyssinia (1935).

What is deterrence, and what three core elements does it depend upon?

It prevents an attack by convincing the enemy that the cost of attacking will be higher than any gain. It depends on capability, credibility, and clear communication.

What was the purpose and funding scale of the post-World War II Marshall Plan?

It provided about $13 billion for rebuilding Western Europe while simultaneously aiming to contain the spread of communism.

What were the primary objectives of the NPT (1968) and the Schengen Agreement (1985)?

The NPT aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and laying ground for SALT talks; the Schengen Agreement established free movement and economic integration in Europe.

At which 1961 summit was the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) formally launched, and what did it emphasize?

The Belgrade Summit in 1961; it stressed peace, sovereignty, anti-colonialism, and an independent foreign policy outside US and Soviet superpower blocs.

What major treaty did India sign with the USSR during the 1971 Bangladesh crisis, and what naval action did the US take?

India signed the 1971 Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation with the USSR, while the US deployed the USS Enterprise into the Bay of Bengal in support of Pakistan.

What is the difference between 'unipolarity' and 'hegemony' in international order?

Unipolarity is a world system with one dominant power. Hegemony is leadership strong enough to write the rules for others, providing stability but also risking overreach.

How did India's 1991 LPG reforms impact its nominal GDP between 1991 and 2008?

Following the adoption of Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation, India's nominal GDP rose from about $270 billion in 1991 to nearly $1.2 trillion by 2008.

Which major economic milestone occurred in 2010, and how did the US under President Obama respond geopolitically?

In 2010, China overtook Japan as the world's second-largest economy, prompting the US to respond with its 'Pivot to Asia' policy.

What percentage of voters chose to leave the European Union in the 2016 Brexit referendum?

About 52% voted to leave the European Union.

What do the strategic concepts 'Salami Slicing' and 'A2/AD' mean?

'Salami Slicing' means gradually changing a situation through small, limited actions to avoid provoking a major response. 'A2/AD' (Anti-Access/Area-Denial) refers to military capabilities used to restrict or prevent an opponent's forces from entering and operating in a region.

What was the primary objective of China's 'Made in China 2025' industrial policy introduced in 2015?

To strengthen domestic capability in advanced manufacturing and strategic technologies such as semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), and robotics.

What is 'Weaponised Interdependence', and what examples illustrate it?

Using control over critical financial, trade, or technology networks to pressure another country; examples include restricting Russian banks from SWIFT and US export controls on semiconductors to China.

What is 'Techno-Nationalism'?

A policy approach linking technology with national security and economic power, where states seek control over critical technologies and restrict transfers to strategic rivals.

Which four countries held consecutive G20 presidencies from 2022 to 2025, and which regional body was inducted as a permanent member in 2023?

Indonesia (2022), India (2023), Brazil (2024), and South Africa (2025); the African Union was admitted as a permanent member in 2023.

What tariff authority does the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 grant the US President?

The authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that import large quantities of Russian oil and gas.

What institutional crises affected the WTO and the UN Security Council in recent years?

The US blocked judicial appointments to the WTO Appellate Body, leaving it without a quorum; and Russia used its P5 veto in 2022 to block a UNSC resolution on its military action in Ukraine.

What were the target locations and contexts of India's Operation Ganga (2022), Operation Kaveri (2023), and Operation Sindhu (2025)?

Operation Ganga evacuated citizens from Ukraine (2022); Operation Kaveri evacuated from Sudan (2023); and Operation Sindhu evacuated from Iran and Israel (2025).

What principles defined the Gujral Doctrine in India's foreign policy during the 1990s?

Conducting relations with immediate neighbours through trust, non-reciprocity, and respect for sovereignty.

How do China's 'String of Pearls' and India's 'Diamond Necklace' concepts contrast in the Indian Ocean Region?

'String of Pearls' refers to China's network of ports and bases (Gwadar, Hambantota, Djibouti); 'Diamond Necklace' refers to India's counter-strategy of maritime partnerships and logistics access (Chabahar in Iran, Duqm in Oman, and Sabang in Indonesia).

What is 'Minilateralism' in modern Indian diplomacy, and what are key examples of it?

The practice of using smaller, flexible, issue-based groupings to supplement traditional multilateral institutions; examples include the Quad, I2U2, and the India-France-UAE Trilateral.