🇮🇳 India’s Relations with Major Powers

India is emerging as a major global player due to:

• Third-largest military expenditure
• Second-largest armed force
• Fifth-largest economy
• Nuclear capability and global diplomatic outreach

India maintains diplomatic relations with 201 countries and operates 199 foreign missions. Understanding India’s ties with the USA, Russia, and China is crucial to grasp the evolution and priorities of Indian foreign policy.

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🇺🇸 India–United States Relations

During the Cold War

• US ideology: Anti-communism; aligned with Pakistan through SEATO and CENTO.
• India's stance: Non-alignment (Nehru’s principle) clashed with American bloc politics.
• 1962: India sought US military help during the Sino-Indian war.
• 1971: US backed Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War; Indo-US ties soured.

Post-Cold War Developments

• 1991: Economic liberalization opened doors for Indo-US trade and cooperation.
• 1998: Pokhran-II nuclear tests led to US sanctions.
• 2005: Civil Nuclear Deal (123 Agreement) normalized ties.
• Military exercises:
  • Yudh Abhyas (2004) – Army cooperation
  • Tiger Triumph (2019) – Tri-service drills
• Strategic Engagements:
  • 2+2 Dialogue (2018)
  • Cybersecurity MoU (2011)
  • Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership (2020)

Key Agreements

Year	Agreement	Objective
2002	GSOMIA	Share military intelligence
2005	123 Agreement	Civil nuclear cooperation
2016	LEMOA	Mutual use of military bases
2018	COMCASA	Secure military communications
2020	BECA	Share geospatial intelligence

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🇷🇺 India–Russia Relations

During Cold War (With USSR)

• Strong ties in military, defence, economy, and diplomacy.
• 1955: Strengthening of political ties with Khrushchev’s visit.
• 1971: Treaty of Peace and Friendship during Bangladesh crisis.
• USSR supported India’s position on Kashmir and vetoed anti-India resolutions in the UN.

Post-Cold War Relations

• Initial drift due to USSR collapse.
• Rupee-Rouble trade collapsed; dollar demanded instead.
• 2000: Putin’s visit; Strategic Partnership Agreement signed.
• Military Exercise:
  • INDRA initiated in 2003 (now tri-service: 2017 onwards)
• Strategic Dialogues & Cooperation:
  • BRICS, SCO, INSTC, Far East collaboration
  • Defence deals: S-400, Kamov-226, etc.

Key Agreements

Year	Agreement	Objective
1971	Peace and Friendship Treaty	Regional and global peace
1994	Military-Technical Cooperation	Long-term defence collaboration
2000	Strategic Partnership	Enhance cooperation across sectors
2000	INSTC	Link Indian Ocean to Europe via Iran
2018	IRSED	Economic cooperation
2021	2+2 Dialogue	Defence + foreign affairs collaboration

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🇨🇳 India–China Relations

Historical Background

• Ancient cultural ties and early recognition of PRC in 1950.
• 1954: Panchsheel Agreement with principles of peaceful co-existence.
• Border wars & standoffs:
  • 1962: Sino-Indian War (India lost Aksai Chin)
  • 1987: Sumdorong Chu standoff
  • 2017: Doklam face-off
  • 2020: Galwan Valley clash

China’s Strategic Outlook

Palm and Five Fingers Policy:
Tibet as the palm; Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh as fingers to be "reclaimed."

Major Border Disputes

Sector	Description
Western (Aksai Chin)	Claimed by India; occupied by China post-1962 war
Central (Sikkim)	Generally stable; Nathu La opened for trade
Eastern (Arunachal Pradesh)	Claimed by China; was NEFA under British India

Key Border Lines

• Johnson Line (1865) – Aksai Chin as Indian territory (India’s claim)
• MacMahon Line (1914) – Defines border in Arunachal Pradesh (India’s accepted line)
• Macartney–MacDonald Line (1899) – British proposal; China never accepted officially

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Conclusion

India’s foreign relations with the US, Russia, and China are shaped by:

• Strategic autonomy
• Defence and energy cooperation
• Regional stability and global positioning

Strategic Focus Areas Ahead:

• Balancing ties between US and Russia amid global power shifts
• Managing border tensions and trade imbalances with China
• Deepening multilateral engagements via QUAD, BRICS, SCO, and G20