📘 Weekly Current Affairs – Page 7

UPSC • IAS • State PSC
International Relations & Global Affairs | GS-II Core

🌍 GS-II | CHANGING GLOBAL ORDER

1️⃣ Transition from Unipolarity to Multipolarity

The post–Cold War unipolar moment is gradually giving way to a multipolar world order. Multiple centres of power are emerging, reshaping global politics, economics, and security dynamics.

This transition is characterised by:

Relative decline of single-power dominance
Rise of regional and middle powers
Greater strategic competition
Issue-based alliances instead of permanent blocs

For India, multipolarity provides strategic space to pursue independent foreign policy choices.

Mains Angle:
“Multipolarity offers both opportunities and challenges for India’s foreign policy.” Examine.

GS-II | INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY APPROACH

2️⃣ Strategic Autonomy in Practice

Strategic autonomy has been a consistent principle of Indian foreign policy. In the contemporary context, it implies flexibility, issue-based cooperation, and avoidance of rigid alliances.

India practices strategic autonomy through:

Diversified partnerships
Independent decision-making
Balancing major power relations

This approach allows India to safeguard national interest while engaging constructively with all major powers.

Mains Angle:
“Strategic autonomy remains relevant in an era of shifting global alignments.” Analyse.

3️⃣ Neighbourhood First Policy

India’s neighbourhood is critical to its security and development. The Neighbourhood First policy aims to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties with neighbouring countries.

Key pillars include:

Connectivity and infrastructure
Developmental assistance
People-to-people contacts
Security cooperation

Stability in the neighbourhood directly impacts India’s internal security and economic growth.

Mains Angle:
“India’s regional leadership depends on the success of its Neighbourhood First policy.” Discuss.

🏛️ GS-II | MULTILATERALISM & GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

4️⃣ Reforming Global Institutions

Multilateral institutions face credibility and effectiveness challenges due to changing global realities. Developing countries demand greater representation and voice.

India advocates:

Reforms in the United Nations system
Democratisation of global governance
Inclusive decision-making

India’s leadership in multilateral forums enhances its global stature.

Mains Angle:
“Reforming global governance institutions is essential for maintaining international legitimacy.” Examine.

5️⃣ India and the Global South

India positions itself as a voice of the Global South, highlighting development concerns, equity, and inclusiveness.

Key focus areas include:

Development cooperation
Technology sharing
Capacity building
South–South cooperation

This role strengthens India’s moral and diplomatic influence.

Mains Angle:
“India’s engagement with the Global South enhances its soft power.” Analyse.

🛡️ GS-II & GS-III | GLOBAL SECURITY ISSUES

6️⃣ Non-Traditional Security Challenges

Security threats today extend beyond conventional military conflicts. Non-traditional threats are transnational and complex in nature.

These include:

Terrorism and extremism
Cyber threats
Pandemics
Climate-induced security risks

Addressing these challenges requires international cooperation and comprehensive policy responses.

Mains Angle:
“Non-traditional security threats require cooperative rather than confrontational solutions.” Discuss.

GS-IV | ETHICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

7️⃣ Ethical Dimensions of Diplomacy

Ethics plays an important role in international relations, especially in areas such as humanitarian intervention, development assistance, and conflict resolution.

Core ethical principles include:

Respect for sovereignty
Peaceful coexistence
Justice and equity
Human dignity

Ethical diplomacy enhances credibility and trust among nations.

GS-IV Application:
Use examples from humanitarian aid, peacekeeping, and development partnerships.

✍️ ANSWER WRITING PRACTICE

Q1 (GS-II | 150 words):
Discuss the relevance of strategic autonomy in India’s foreign policy in a multipolar world.

Q2 (GS-II | 150 words):
Examine India’s role in reforming global governance institutions.

Q3 (GS-IV | 150 words):
How do ethical considerations influence diplomatic decision-making?

HOW TO USE PAGE 7

Use global order themes in GS-II answers
Link IR issues with security and ethics
Prepare examples for essay and interview

“Foreign policy reflects a nation’s values as much as its interests.”

— Shaktimatha 369 Learning

📘 Shaktimatha 369 Learning – UPSC Master Library

🗞️ SECTION A: WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS (Pages 1–20)

📌 Conceptual & GS-Wise Analysis

📝 Practice, Tests & Strategy

⚖️ SECTION B: INDIAN CONSTITUTION, GOVERNANCE & ETHICS

🎯 SECTION C: MAINS, ETHICS & REVISION TOOLKIT

Prepared by Shaktimatha 369 Learning
“Depth • Discipline • Democracy”

Tuesday, 6 January 2026