The Diplomatic Maze: A Book on International Relations For UPSC Civil Services and State Service Examinations
ISBN: 9789363862968
608 pages
For more information write to us at: acadmktg@wiley.com
Description
Wiley’s The Diplomatic Maze is a comprehensive guide to International Relations for UPSC aspirants, offering in-depth coverage of India’s foreign policy since independence and key global affairs. This book serves as a one-stop reference for mastering the International Relations section of the UPSC syllabus, covering contemporary topics such as the impact of the Ukraine War on Africa, digital diplomacy, India’s security challenges, energy security, and climate change discourse. Designed to enhance answer-writing skills for UPSC Mains, it includes dedicated sections like Prelims Titbits and CSE Mains Boosters, which focus on high-probability exam topics. With maps, infographics, tables, and previous year questions (PYQs) with solutions, this book simplifies complex concepts and improves retention. Whether you are preparing for UPSC Civil Services, State PCS, or other competitive exams, The Diplomatic Maze is your essential resource for excelling in International Relations and global affairs.
UNIT 1: Evolution of India’s Foreign Policy
1 A Pre–Independence Commentary 1.1 Legacy of the British Raj 1.2 India and Its Neighborhood 1.3 Evolution of Strategic Thoughts and Impact 1.4 Conclusion
2 The Bipolar World 2.1 Introduction 2.2 First Phase (1946–1962): The Nehruvian Era of Idealism 2.3 Second Phase (1962–1971): Indira Gandhi and the Era of Recovery 2.4 Third Phase (1971–1984): Indira Gandhi and the Era of Hardball 2.5 Third Phase (1985–1990): Rajiv Gandhi and the Cusp of Transformation 2.6 Conclusion
3 The Age of Transformation and Adaptation 3.1 Fourth Phase (1991–1999): The Age of Liberalisation 3.2 Fifth Phase (2000–2013): The Age of Mitigation and Decline of the Coalition Era 3.3 The Future of Non-Alignment 3.4 Conclusion
4 Phase 6 (2014–Present): The Advent of Right Wing and Majority Politics 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Highlights of the Governance 4.3 Vis-à-vis the Past: Continuity and Deviations 4.4 A Critical Analysis 4.5 Limitations of Hindutva: A Critical Commentary 4.6 Conclusion
UNIT 2: India and Its Neighbourhood
5 India–Pakistan 5.1 Timeline 5.2 The Perpetual Conflicts 5.3 A Disintegrated System and Righteousness 5.4 Strategies over Time: Dialogue–Disruption–Dialogue 5.5 The Interventions of China and the United States 5.6 A Reality Check: The Road Ahead
6 India–China 6.1 Timeline of Indo–China Relations 6.2 Introduction 6.3 The Contested Borders, the Scar of 1962, and the Timeline 6.4 The Vicissitudes after ‘62 6.5 The Paradoxical Relationship 6.6 Race to Ascension: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) 6.7 New Rivalry: The Space Sector 6.8 Conclusion
7 India–Afghanistan 7.1 History 7.2 Evolution of Indo–Afghan Relations in the Post–Colonial Era 7.3 The Road Ahead
8 India–Nepal 8.1 Introduction 8.2 A Timeline of Indo–Nepalese Relations and the Policy Hip Hops 8.3 The Turmoil in Nepal: A Timeline of the Maoist Movement and Civil War 8.4 The Chinese Conundrum 8.5 The Impact on Indian Interests 8.6 The Achilles Heel of India’s Approach 8.7 US, QUAD, and the Way Ahead 8.8 Conclusion
9 India–Bhutan 9.1 Evolution of Bhutan 9.2 Behind the Drapes of Happiness 9.3 Conclusion
10 India–Bangladesh 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Relationship with India 10.3 Bilateral Issues: Ebbs and Flows 10.4 The Regional Players: The Importance of Bangladesh 10.5 The Regional Partnership and Future 10.6 The Road Ahead: The Constants and the Variables
11 India–Myanmar 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Ethnic Conflicts of Myanmar, the Coup of 2021, and the Civil Disobedience Movement 11.3 The Roots of the Unfolding Crisis 11.4 The Indian Play 11.5 Unravelling the Indian Foreign Policy 11.6 Conclusion
India–Sri Lanka 12.1 History: The Dual Relationship 12.2 Ethnic Policy, the Eelam Wars, and the Stateless Tamils of Sri Lanka 12.3 The Maritime Boundary Dispute 12.4 The China Factor 12.5 Conclusion
13 India–Maldives 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Bilateral Relations with India: The Sinusoid 13.3 The China Factor 13.4 Leveraging Soft Power to Break the Tide
UNIT 3: India’s Extra–Regional Outreach and Major Partners
14 India–West Asia and Middle–East: A Fine Balance 14.1 Locating on the World Map 14.2 Understanding Geopolitics in West Asia: Different Facets 14.3 Historical Linkage with India 14.4 Contemporary Significance of West Asia for India 14.5 India’s Foreign Policy Approach Towards West Asia: Continuity and Change 14.6 Challenges to India’s West Asia Policy 14.7 Focus Areas for Indian Policy-Makers 14.8 Conclusion 14.9 India–Saudi Arabia 14.10 India–Iran 14.11 India–Israel 14.12 India–Turkey 14.13 India–UAE 14.14 India–Qatar 14.15 India–Iraq 14.16 India–Syria 14.17 India–Oman 14.18 India–Yemen
15 India–Central Asia: The Great Game Theatre 15.1 Introduction 15.2 The ‘Great Game’ in Central Asia 15.3 Historical Linkage with India 15.4 Contemporary Significance of Central Asia for India 15.5 India’s Foreign Policy Approach Towards Central Asia 15.6 ‘3Cs’ Challenges to India’s Central Asia Policy 15.7 Focus Areas for Indian Policy Makers 15.8 Conclusion 15.9 A Look at Bilateral Relations
16 India—East Asia and Southeast Asia 16.1 Locating on World Map 16.2 Southeast Asia at the Crossroad of Great Power Rivalry 16.3 Historical Linkage with India 16.4 Contemporary Significance of Southeast Asia and East Asia for India 16.5 India’s Foreign Policy Approach Towards South East Asia (Sea) and East Asia 16.6 India–Thailand 16.7 India–Vietnam 16.8 India–Malaysia 16.9 India–Singapore 16.10 India–Indonesia 16.11 India–Philippines 16.12 India–Japan 16.13 India–South Korea
17 India–Africa 17.1 The Lost Ark 17.2 The New Fervours of Co-operation 17.3 Build–Evolve–Compete 17.4 In Focus: South Africa 17.5 The China Challenge 17.6 Emerging Challenge: From the Continent of Hope to the Continent of Coup 17.7 The Impact of the Ukraine Conflict 17.8 Conclusion
18 India–Europe 18.1 Introduction 18.2 India–Europe Relationship: Different Facets 18.3 Limitations to India–EU Relationship 18.4 Conclusion 18.5 India–United Kingdom 18.6 India–France 18.7 India–Germany 18.8 India–Russia
19 India–Latin America 19.1 Introduction: Strategic Importance and Political Scenario 19.2 Archaic Sam, Crouching Tiger, and Hidden Dragon: A Background 19.3 India–Latin America: A Background 19.4 India–Latin America: New Fervours of Engagement 19.5 Latin America: The Silent Investor in India 19.6 In Focus: Brazil 19.7 Steps Forward: Strategy of Engagement 19.8 Conclusion
20 India–USA 20.1 Areas of Cooperation 20.2 Challenges to Relationship 20.3 Conclusion
21 India–Oceania 21.1 A Brief Insight into the Oceanic Region 21.2 India’s Relationship with the Pacific Island Nations 21.3 India–Australia Relationship 21.4 India–New Zealand Relationship
UNIT 4 Multilateral Diplomacy
22 Understanding Multilateralism and India’s Tryst with Multipolar Diplomacy 22.1 Part A: Multilateralism: Concepts, Status, and Contemporary Relevance 22.2 Part B: India and Multilateralism
23 India and Indo–Pacific Construct: A Part of the New ‘Great Game’ 23.1 Defining the Term ‘Indo–Pacific’ 23.2 Indo–Pacific: Theatre of New ‘Great Game’ 23.3 India’s Indo–Pacific Strategy 23.4 QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) 23.5 Indo–Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) 23.6 AUKUS Grouping
UNIT 5 Soft Power
24 India’s Soft Power Diplomacy 24.1 Introduction 24.2 The Indian Context 24.3 Public Diplomacy: Fostering Soft Power 24.4 India and the World: Contemporary Facets of Soft Power 24.5 Diaspora 24.6 Cultural Diplomacy: Strategy of Culture in Culture of Strategy 24.7 Spirituality and India’s Dream of Vishwaguru 24.8 A Critical Evaluation of India’s Soft Power 24.9 Conclusion
25 Role of Diaspora, Media, and Private Houses in Shaping India’s Foreign Policy 25.1 Indian Diaspora 25.2 Role of Media in Shaping Foreign Policy 25.3 Role of Private Sector in Shaping Foreign Policy
26 Digital Diplomacy—Emerging Turbulence in Soft Power 26.1 Introduction 26.2 Digital for Public Diplomacy and Public Diplomacy for Digital 26.3 Digital Co-operation: Where Does India Stand? 26.4 AI and Diplomacy 26.5 Meta-Soft Power: A Case Study 26.6 Conclusion
UNIT 6 Challenges for Rising India
27 India’s Contemporary Security Challenges 27.1 Introduction 27.2 Internal Threats: Naxalism, Kashmir Insurgency, the Khalistan Movement, the North–East Insurgency, and Youth Radicalisation 27.3 External Threats: Pakistan and China 27.4 The Persistent Threat: Terrorism 27.5 Emerging Threats: Cybersecurity and AI 27.6 Limitations to Strategic Deterrence 27.7 Alliances Beyond Borders: Security Amidst Changing Geopolitics 27.8 Conclusion
28 Energy Security 28.1 Energy Security: Meaning and Significance 28.2 Changing Dynamics of Global Energy Production and Demand 28.3 Challenges to Global Energy Security 28.4 Conclusion 28.5 Energy Security and India
29 Climate Change Discourse 29.1 Global Climate Risk 29.2 Global Share of Climate Change 29.3 Global Efforts to Tackle Climate Change 29.4 India and Climate Change 29.5 Path Ahead for Climate Change 29.6 Conclusion
|