International Relations & Summits

📘 NDA GAT Section · CFN02 🎯 NDA Level : High Priority

International Relations for NDA tests factual knowledge of summits, bilateral deals, and India’s stance on global events. Questions are direct: “Which country did India sign X with?” or “What was the outcome of Y summit?” No deep analysis required — accurate factual recall is the skill.

📌 NDA Pattern — International Relations:
• Bilateral deals: country + deal name + what it covers | • Summits: host city + key outcome
• India’s UN voting stance | • International org: HQ + head | • QUAD/BRICS/SCO members

1. Key Bilateral Relations

🇺🇸 India – USA

4 Foundational Defence Agreements (all signed): GSOMIA (2002) — military intelligence sharing; LEMOA (2016) — logistics base access; COMCASA (2018) — encrypted military communications; BECA (2020) — geospatial/satellite intelligence.
iCET (Initiative on Critical & Emerging Technology, Jan 2023): Covers AI, quantum computing, 5G/6G, semiconductors, space. NSA-level dialogue.
QUAD: India, USA, Japan, Australia. Indo-Pacific security forum. IPMDA (Maritime Domain Awareness), Cancer Moonshot, tech cooperation.
GE-F414 Engine Deal (2023): USA agreed to co-produce jet engines in India (for Tejas Mk2). First such ToT from USA to India in defence.
MQ-9B Drone Deal: 31 HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance) drones approved. 16 for Navy, 8 Army, 7 Air Force. Rs 35,000 crore.

🇷🇺 India – Russia | 🇨🇳 India – China

S-400 Triumf: Air defence system from Russia. 3 of 5 squadrons delivered (2024). USA threatened CAATSA sanctions but waived. Tracks & intercepts 80 targets simultaneously; 400 km range.
AK-203 Rifles: Indo-Russian joint venture (IRRPL) at Amethi, UP. 6+ lakh rifles. Make in India flagship defence export.
Kudankulam Nuclear Plant: Units 3 & 4 under construction (Russian VVER reactors). Russia = India’s largest nuclear energy partner.
Russian Oil Imports: India’s Russian crude share rose from 0.5% (Feb 2022) to ~40% (2024) after Western sanctions. India pays in dirhams/yuan/rupees at discount. Reflects strategic autonomy.
LAC Disengagement (Oct 2024): India-China agreed to resume patrolling at Depsang Plains and Demchok (last two friction points). Verification underway. Relations cautiously improving post-Galwan (Jun 2020).
BRI: India does not participate. Reason: CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) passes through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) — violates India’s sovereignty.

🇫🇷 India – France | 🇳🇴 India – Japan | 🇦🇺 India – Australia

India – France: Strategic partner since 1998. Rafale-IAF (36 jets delivered). Rafale-M (26 for Navy ordered). Scorpene submarines (6 built; Kalvari class). GARUDA air exercise. P-75I shortlisted.
India – Japan: Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train (MAHSR) underway; Japan financing 81% at 0.1% interest over 50 years. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Veer Guardian (first air exercise). DHARMA GUARDIAN (land).
India – Australia: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2020). ECTA (2022) — major tariff reductions. AUSINDEX naval exercise. Australia key uranium supplier.
India – UAE: CEPA (signed Feb 2022; effective May 2022). Target: bilateral trade from USD 60 billion to USD 100 billion. Trade in INR-AED. India’s first CEPA in 12 years.

2. Multilateral Summits & Forums

🏢 G20 India Presidency 2023

Theme: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — One Earth, One Family, One Future” (from Maha Upanishad).
African Union (AU) Admitted: India lobbied; AU (55 nations) became permanent G20 member at New Delhi Summit (Sep 9–10, 2023). PM Modi announced. G20 now effectively 21 members.
Other outcomes: New Delhi Declaration (consensus despite Russia-Ukraine divide); Global Biofuels Alliance launched; IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Corridor) announced; Digital Public Infrastructure framework adopted.
Voice of Global South Summits: India hosted twice (Jan 2023 + Nov 2023); 125+ developing nations; India positioned as “Voice of Global South.”

🌐 BRICS — SCO — QUAD

BRICS Expansion (Johannesburg, Aug 2023): 6 new members invited: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina. Argentina declined after government change. BRICS = 10 members from Jan 2024. India endorsed expansion while calling for “reformed, effective BRICS.”
SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation): India member since 2017. India hosted SCO Summit 2023 (virtual, as Chair). Iran joined 2023. SCO = world’s largest regional body (land + population). Focus: security, counter-terrorism, connectivity.
QUAD: India, USA, Japan, Australia. Not a formal treaty alliance. Focuses on Indo-Pacific maritime security, vaccines, climate, technology. Cancer Moonshot (cancer research fund), IPMDA (maritime awareness) are recent QUAD initiatives.
India’s Multi-Alignment: Member of QUAD (US-leaning) + SCO (China/Russia-led) + BRICS simultaneously. India calls this “strategic autonomy” — protecting national interests across all groupings.

🌎 International Organisations — Key Facts

United Nations: UNSC permanent members (P5) = USA, UK, France, Russia, China. India is NOT P5; demands permanent seat (G4 = India, Germany, Japan, Brazil). India was elected non-permanent member (2021–22). India = 2nd largest UN peacekeeping troop contributor (historically).
IMF: MD Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria). India = world’s 3rd largest economy (PPP) but quota not proportional.
World Bank: President Ajay Banga (USA, Indian-origin). First person of Indian descent to head World Bank.
WHO: DG Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Ethiopia). First African DG. India’s Vaccine Maitri: 95+ million COVID vaccines to 36 nations.
WTO: DG Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria). First woman + First African. India’s position: protect food security (public stockholding); cautious on fisheries subsidies.

3. Geopolitical Stances

🔸 India’s Position on Key Conflicts

Russia-Ukraine War (Feb 2022–present): India abstained on UNSC and UNGA resolutions condemning Russia. Official position: “dialogue and diplomacy; this is not the era of war.” PM Modi visited Moscow (Jul 2024) and Kyiv (Aug 2023). India imports Russian oil at discounts (~40% of crude imports).
Israel-Hamas War (Oct 2023): India initially expressed solidarity with Israel; later abstained on UNGA ceasefire resolutions. Supports two-state solution as long-term framework. Calls for humanitarian access and protection of civilians.
South China Sea: India supports UNCLOS (freedom of navigation and overflight). Does not recognise China’s nine-dash line. Supports ASEAN centrality and rule-based order in Indo-Pacific.
Afghanistan: Taliban took over Aug 2021. India maintains “technical team” at Kabul embassy. Sends humanitarian aid (wheat, medicines). Does not formally recognise Taliban government. Concerned about Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

📝 NDA PYQ

International Relations — NDA GAT Pattern Questions

Q1. Which new permanent member was added to G20 during India’s G20 presidency in 2023?

(a) Arab League (b) ASEAN (c) African Union (d) African Development Bank

Answer: (c) African Union (AU)
India lobbied for the AU’s inclusion. The AU represents 55 African nations. PM Modi announced the AU’s admission as a permanent G20 member at the New Delhi Summit opening. G20 theme: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”

Q2. CEPA signed between India and UAE came into effect in which year?

Answer: (c) 2022 (signed February 2022; effective May 2022)
CEPA = Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. India’s first CEPA in 12 years. Target: bilateral trade to reach USD 100 billion by 2027. Covers goods, services, investments. Payments can be in INR-AED.

Q3. India purchased the S-400 air defence system from Russia despite the threat of sanctions under which US law?

(a) CAATSA (b) ITAR (c) EAR (d) Patriot Act

Answer: (a) CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, 2017)
CAATSA prohibits significant defence transactions with Russia, Iran, or North Korea. USA waived the sanctions for India, recognising India’s strategic defence partnership. 3 of 5 S-400 squadrons delivered by 2024.

Q4. The QUAD grouping consists of which four nations?

(a) India, USA, UK, Australia (b) India, USA, Japan, Australia (c) India, Japan, France, Australia (d) India, USA, Japan, South Korea

Answer: (b) India, USA, Japan, Australia
QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) = India + USA + Japan + Australia. Focuses on free and open Indo-Pacific. Not a formal military alliance. IPMDA, Cancer Moonshot, tech cooperation are recent initiatives. Malabar naval exercise = QUAD naval expression.

Q5. Which country is the Director-General of the WTO, and what historical distinction does she hold?

(a) USA; first American DG (b) Nigeria; first woman and first African DG (c) India; first Asian DG (d) Brazil; first South American DG

Answer: (b) Nigeria; first woman and first African DG
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria) became WTO Director-General in March 2021 — making history as both the first woman and first African to hold the post. WTO = World Trade Organisation; HQ Geneva. India’s key WTO stance: protect food security and farmer rights.

🔥 TRICKY QUESTIONS

International Relations — Confusing Similar-Sounding Facts

🤯 T1. The BRICS 2023 expansion invited 6 new members but one declined. Which country declined and why is this NDA-exam relevant?

Argentina declined after a change of government (new President Javier Milei, elected Nov 2023, opposed BRICS membership on ideological grounds — preferred Western economic alignment).
Effective from Jan 2024, BRICS became a 10-member group: original 5 (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) + Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt.
NDA angle: Questions often state “BRICS expanded to 11 members” and ask if it’s correct — it’s wrong; the correct count is 10 because Argentina declined. Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt are new Gulf/Arab members. Knowing which 6 were invited and which 5 actually joined tests precision.

📝 Rapid Revision — CFN02 International Relations

🇺🇸 USA Deals

LEMOA (2016) = logistics base access
COMCASA (2018) = encrypted comms
BECA (2020) = geospatial intel
iCET = AI, quantum, semiconductors
GE-F414 = engine co-production (Tejas Mk2)

🏢 Summits Quick

G20 2023 = New Delhi; AU admitted; IMEC
G20 theme = Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
BRICS 2023 = Johannesburg; 10 members (not 11)
SCO 2023 = India hosted (virtual)
QUAD = India, USA, Japan, Australia

🔸 India’s UN Votes

Russia-Ukraine = India abstained
Gaza ceasefire = India abstained
UNSC P5 = USA, UK, France, Russia, China
India demands UNSC permanent seat (G4)
India = 2nd largest peacekeeping contributor

🌎 Org Heads

UN SG: Antonio Guterres (Portugal)
IMF: Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria)
World Bank: Ajay Banga (Indian-origin)
WHO: Tedros Ghebreyesus (Ethiopia; 1st African)
WTO: Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria; 1st woman + African)

⚡ Quick Booster — CFN02

Bilateral Quick

S-400 = Russia; CAATSA waived
Rafale = France; 36 IAF + 26 Navy
Bullet Train = Japan; 81% ODA funding
CEPA = UAE (2022); INR-AED payments
AK-203 = Russia; Amethi, UP facility

Multilateral Quick

G20: AU became 21st member (India hosted)
BRICS: 10 members (Argentina said no)
SCO: India member since 2017; Iran joined 2023
QUAD: not a formal alliance
India = strategic autonomy; multi-alignment

NDA Traps

BRICS = 10 members (NOT 11; Argentina declined)
BRI: India refuses (CPEC through PoK)
WTO DG = Nigeria (1st woman + 1st African)
World Bank = Ajay Banga (NOT IMF)
IMF = Kristalina Georgieva (NOT World Bank)

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