International Relations and Global Strategic Updates (2025-2026)

Vocabulary flashcards covering current international relations, strategic treaties, economic policies, and geopolitical frameworks based on the 2025-2026 lecture notes.

Ganges Water Sharing Treaty

A 30-year diplomatic agreement between India and Bangladesh signed in December 1996, which is set to expire in December 2026.

Joint Rivers Commission (JRC)

A bilateral mechanism established in 1972 between India and Bangladesh that manages over 50 shared rivers and facilitates data exchange and flood management.

Farakka Barrage

A hydraulic infrastructure in West Bengal that diverts Ganges flow into the Hooghly River to maintain Kolkata port's navigability, which has been linked to salinity intrusion in Bangladesh.

M-G-D-E Mnemonic

A summary of China's methods of control toward Taiwan: Military Pressure, Grey-Zone Tactics, Diplomatic Isolation, and Economic Integration.

U-R-G-I-S Mnemonic

A framework for the Taiwan Strait geopolitical flashpoint: US-China Rivalry, Regional Security, Global Trade Impact, International Law, and Strategic Intent.

RD DOG DR Mnemonic

Drivers of China's lower GDP growth: Real Estate Crisis, Demographic Decline, Domestic Demand (Weak), Overcapacity, Global Factors, Debt Levels, and Regulatory Crackdowns.

M-E-T-A-L Mnemonic

Strategic objectives for China's road expansion near India: Military Mobility, Economic Development, Territorial Consolidation, Administrative Control, and LAC Infrastructure Competition.

Atlas Architecture

An AI-enabled, network-centric drone swarm system where multiple unmanned platforms operate collaboratively through self-healing networks and distributed AI.

Transparent Ocean Vision

China's massive mapping programme across the Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans using sensor networks to monitor underwater conditions.

Arakan Army (AA)

A powerful military and political entity led by Twan Mrat Naing operating in Myanmar's Rakhine State as part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)

The political party led by Balendra Shah that secured an outright majority in Nepal's March 2026 general election.

K-P-A-R Mnemonic

A guide to the Chenab Hydropower dispute: Kiru ($624\,\text{MW}$), Pakal Dul ($1,000\,\text{MW}$), All others (Ratle/Parnai), and Reservoir/Pondage issues.

D-E-S-I Mnemonic

Pakistan's strategic interests in Iran mediation: Diplomatic leverage, Economic/Energy security, Security/Survival, and Internal political consolidation.

Trincomalee Energy Hub

A collaborative India-Sri Lanka project to develop a regional energy hub leveraging a deep-water harbour and a large oil tank farm.

H.E.R.D. Mnemonic

India's development focus in Sri Lanka: Housing/Healthcare, Education, Reconstruction/Regional, and Digital infrastructure.

NCR Mnemonic

The three primary threats driving Japan's security posture: North Korea, China, and Russia.

Chagos Archipelago

A group of 60+ islands, including Diego Garcia, which was detached from Mauritius by the UK in 1965 to create the British Indian Ocean Territory.

SAGAR Vision

Security and Growth for All in the Region; India's doctrine for cooperation with Indian Ocean Region neighbours.

MCCC Mnemonic

Utilization areas for India's assistance package to IOR states: Maritime security, Capacity building, Climate resilience, and Connectivity.

3-Shift Framework

Realignments in West Asia: Managed coexistence (Iran vs Arab bloc), Regional balancing (US-led to multipolar), and Pragmatic engagement (Zero-sum to collaboration).

Hexagon Alliance

A flexible multi-regional coalition involving India, Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, focusing on security, economic, and technological cooperation.

UAE OPEC Exit

The UAE's May 1st withdrawal from OPEC to pursue strategic autonomy, market-driven production, and economic diversification.

Atmanirbhar Bharat

India's policy of self-reliance and defense indigenisation, significantly emphasized following supply chain disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine War.

Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI)

Part of the EU's 'Trade Bazooka' designed to impose countermeasures like tariffs and procurement bans against geopolitical trade pressure.

India-Germany Semiconductor Partnership

A 2026 initiative launched to build resilient, non-China-centric tech supply chains in AI, telecom, and digital governance.

TKDL (Traditional Knowledge Digital Library)

A digital repository recognized in the India-EU FTA to protect Yoga, Ayurveda, and other traditional knowledge from foreign patenting.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

A US strategic principle declaring the Western Hemisphere closed to European colonization; recently revived as a tool for great-power competition.

Board of Peace (BoP)

A US-led mini-lateral organization chaired by Donald Trump focused on Gaza reconstruction and global conflict resolution.

RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure)

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) mechanism focused on collective action against terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

Belém Package

A set of 29 decisions adopted at COP30 in Brazil (2025) to accelerate Paris Agreement implementation through climate finance and adaptation.

Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF)

A performance-based conservation model aiming to mobilise approximately $125\,\text{billion}\,\text{USD}$ for tropical forest countries.

RBSS Mnemonic

The four interconnected maritime arteries at risk during the Red Sea crisis: Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Suez Canal, and Strait of Hormuz.