Archive

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.

1. SHANTI was introduced in July 2026 by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar as a strategic framework for India’s foreign policy and maritime cooperation.

2. SHANTI stands for Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity.

1. Indo-Pacific Strategic Shift

The Indo-Pacific framework combines the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean into one strategic space. It has strengthened India’s maritime role alongside its traditional continental focus.

2. Earlier Hub-and-Spoke Model

Earlier regional security was based mainly on bilateral United States alliances with Japan, South Korea and Australia.

1. Rising sea levels caused by climate change threaten the physical existence of several small island nations, creating unprecedented challenges to their sovereignty and statehood.

2. Under the Montevideo Convention, a sovereign state requires a permanent population, defined territory, government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

1. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprises six member countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

2. India considers the GCC region a key part of its “Extended Neighbourhood” policy due to its strategic, economic, and energy importance.

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook an official State Visit to Indonesia during 6–8 July 2026, strengthening India–Indonesia cooperation in defence, maritime security, technology, education, critical minerals, and cultural diplomacy.

2. India and Indonesia strengthened their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, originally upgraded in 2018, with the 2026 visit focused on practical implementation across defence, trade, technology, connectivity, and maritime cooperation.