Archive

India’s “Think West” Policy: Strategic Opportunities and Challenges in West Asia
India’s “Think West” policy, launched in 2014, represents a shift from an approach focused mainly on energy and trade to a broader strategy of multi-alignment across West Asia. The policy seeks to strengthen India’s partnerships in security, technology, infrastructure, trade and diplomacy. However, deepening regional divisions and changes in the security environment pose significant challenges.
This approach highlights how India seeks to maintain strategic autonomy while managing relationships with competing regional powers and security groupings.

Transnational Water Governance and River Treaties

Transnational water governance deals with the management, distribution and use of rivers shared by two or more countries. In South Asia, where floods, droughts and water scarcity are major concerns, river-water agreements have become closely connected with national security, regional cooperation and diplomatic relations.

1. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) was signed on 7 August 2026 by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.

2. The agreement was signed during the Makkah Joint Defence Summit held at Al-Safa Palace in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

1. India supports the agenda of “Reformed Multilateralism” to make global institutions more representative of present geopolitical and economic realities.

2. India supports reform and expansion of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

1. The Indian diaspora includes Indian citizens and people of Indian origin living outside India, either temporarily or permanently.

2. India has the world’s largest overseas population, with approximately 35 million people of Indian origin living across more than 200 countries.

1. The term BRIC was coined by Goldman Sachs in 2001 in its paper titled “The World Needs Better Economic BRICs.”

2. The original BRIC countries were Brazil, Russia, India and China.

1. Polar geopolitics is becoming more important as climate change melts ice, opens new sea routes and makes resources more accessible.

2. The Arctic is a frozen ocean surrounded by land, while Antarctica is a landmass surrounded by the Southern Ocean.

1. Bharat Mart, the Virtual Trade Corridor and Bharat-Africa Setu are connected India–UAE initiatives that combine physical trade infrastructure, digital logistics and access to African markets.

2. These initiatives aim to reduce logistics delays, lower compliance costs and help Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) enter global supply chains directly.

1. India–United States defence relations have developed from Cold War-era hesitation into a broad strategic and defence partnership with growing cooperation in security, technology and industrial production.

2. The partnership is guided by a 10-year India–US Defence Framework for 2025–2035, which provides a roadmap for defence cooperation, technology sharing and military coordination.

2. The Africa Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS) was adopted by African Heads of State at the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly. It aims to transform Africa from an exporter of raw minerals into a hub for mineral beneficiation, green industrialisation and value addition.

2. The strategy focuses on green and critical minerals needed for clean-energy technologies, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, graphite and rare earth elements.