India and the Major Powers
UPSC notes on India's relations with the United States, Russia, Japan, France, the UK and the EU — strategic partnerships, defence and nuclear deals, trade and strategic autonomy.
SyllabusGS II · Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests
India’s relations with the major powers are where the idea of strategic autonomy is tested in practice. Much of India’s legacy military equipment is of Soviet or Russian origin, its fastest-growing technology partnership is with the United States, its largest bilateral development partner is Japan, and France was its first strategic partner. Managing all of them at once is the core of Indian diplomacy.
What UPSC asks
- Prelims: agreements and their years — the 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty, the 2008 civil nuclear agreement with the US, the four “foundational” defence agreements, the India–Japan civil nuclear agreement, the 1998 strategic partnership with France.
- Mains: India–US convergence and its limits; the durability of India–Russia ties after 2022; the role of Japan and Europe in India’s growth; balancing between rival powers.
Chapter map
| Partner | Anchor facts |
|---|---|
| United States | 2005 nuclear understanding; 123 Agreement 2008; Major Defence Partner 2016; LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA |
| Russia | 1971 Treaty; Strategic Partnership 2000; S-400; BrahMos; Kudankulam |
| Japan | Special Strategic and Global Partnership 2014; civil nuclear agreement 2016; high-speed rail |
| France | First strategic partner (1998); Rafale; Scorpene submarines; International Solar Alliance |
| EU and UK | India–EU Strategic Partnership 2004; Trade and Technology Council; India–UK trade agreement |
Main topic: India’s Strategic Partnerships with the Major Powers. China is covered under India–China Relations.