keywords - gs1 and 2 Flashcards
Keyword
Content
Saptarishis in Budget 2023-24
Inclusive development<br></br>Reaching last mile<br></br>Infrastructure and investment<br></br>Unleashing potential<br></br>Green power<br></br>Youth power<br></br>Financial sector.
Invisible ‘Unpaid’ Work
Dual Burden<br></br>Self-Limiting Mindset<br></br>A large part of their women works, from working for the household farm or business to domestic and caregiving work is delegitimized as women’s work and is not considered ‘real’ work.<br></br>In rural areas, this also includes daily tasks such as collecting firewood and water. The Labour involved in running a household and managing daily tasks is not just physical, but also mental and emotional.
Breaking of Glass Ceiling
Glass ceiling is a metaphor for invisible barrier that prevents some people (especially women) from rising to senior positions<br></br>E.g. USA termed one of the most liberal country but it got it first female vice president Kamla Harris in 2020, and even till now there is no female president yet
Benign Neglect
An attitude or policy of ignoring an often delicate or undesirable situation that one is held to be responsible for dealing with<br></br>E.g. a contractor who digs up a road and posts no danger signs, or keeps a man-hole open, or leaves rocks on the road as dangerous play things for autos to joust with?<br></br>According to World Road Statistics (2018), India reports the highest number of road accident deaths followed by US and China<br></br>Benign neglect is seen in case of Women and girl child as well
Soft investment
Investments made in areas such as education and healthcare.
Cumulative Discrimination (from womb to tomb)
Discrimination against women<br></br>“From the girl child is being killed in womb owing to gender bias, to Young as well as aged women are being subjected to atrocities and sexual abuse”
Perpetuation of Patriarchy
Patriarchy refers to dominance in society by male counterparts<br></br>Patriarchy are learnt in the family where the head of the family is a man/ father<br></br>In patriarchal family birth of male child is preferred to that of a female<br></br>Systemic deprivation and violence against women: rape, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, wife-beating, high level of female illiteracy, malnutrition, and continued sense of insecurity keeps women bound to home
One-gate-for-all-kids approach
Verifying age of a person before allowing access to services online.
Prisoners of Patriarchy
Economic Survey 2017-18 revealed that women comprise only 24% of the Indian workforce.<br></br>The number of women in workplaces is declining steadily, even though the enrolment of girls in higher education courses is growing steadily to 46% in 2014 from 39% in 2007.
Reproductive Slavery
Son Meta-Preference is the phenomena where parents continue to produce children until the desired number of sons are born. - Economic Survey-2017-18<br></br>This problem leads to reproductive slavery where women are compelled to become pregnant until a boy is born.
Agents of Socialization
Socialization agents are a combination of social groups and social institutions that provide the first experiences of socialization.
Alienation
Alienation occurs when a person withdraws or becomes isolated from their environment or from other people.
Ethnocentrism
Evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one’s own culture.
Feminization of Poverty
Gap between women and men caught in the cycle of poverty has continued to widen in the past decade, a phenomenon commonly referred to as “the feminization of poverty”.
Paternalistic Attitudes
It refers to mindset in which one person assumes authority over another person and seeks to make decisions for them.
Commodification of Women
Term used to describe how manufacturers strategically market products toward women for the purpose of selling into, and exploiting, their femininity and domesticity
3Bs of Women Empowerment
Build alliances, be bold and be constantly curious.
Sashakt Nari, Sashakt Bharat
Empowerment of women is essential for overall development of a nation.
Folk Way
Norm followed out of tradition
Melting Pot
India is a melting pot of different cultures encompassing in itself various languages, traditions, music, art etc.
Gender Socialization
Gender socialization is the process through which children learn about the social expectations, attitudes and behaviours typically associated with boys and girls.
Caste-Based Stratification
The India Caste System is a perfect example of the stratification system.
Cultural Relativism
Not judging a culture to our own standards of what is right or wrong, strange or normal. Instead, we should try to understand cultural practices of other groups in its own cultural context.
Sticky Floor
Expression used as a metaphor to point to a discriminatory employment pattern that keeps workers, mainly women, in the lower ranks of the job scale, with low mobility and invisible barriers to career advancement.
Triple Burden Faced by Women Because of Triple Role
Women’s work includes reproductive work (domestic work, child caring and rearing, adult care, caring for the sick, water and fuel related work, health related work), productive work and community managing work (includes activities primarily undertaken by women at the community level around the provision of items of collective consumption)
Charity Culture to Rights-Based Entitlement
People recognized as key actors in their own development rather than as passive recipients of commodities.
Care Economy
Refers to the paid and unpaid labor and services that support caregiving in all its forms.
Night-Time Economy
Covers a wide range of activity in town and city centres taking place between the hours of 18:00 – 06:00 including retail, culture & leisure, transport and accommodation etc.
Nutrition Gap
Disparity in access to nutritious food between different populations or geographic regions.
Gender Parity
Empowering women can reduce gaps in education and health outcomes for women.
Missing Women
Term “missing women” indicates a shortfall in number of women relative to the expected number of women in a region or country.
Social Equalizer
Education is the great social equalizer and access to free, high-quality schools can level the playing field for disadvantaged children.
Amrit Kaal, Kartavya Kaal
PM speech- Turn Amrit kaal (till 2047) into Kartavya kaal (era of duties).
Crisis of Credibility
An average 85% teachers failed to qualify the post-qualification competency test.<br></br>Recognizing the ‘power of teacher’ NEP 2020 has put in place systemic reforms that would help ‘teaching’ emerge as an attractive profession of choice for bright and talented young minds, then only crisis of credibility could be solved.
Hallowing Out of the Public Schools
While the number of govt schools increased over the years, the enrolment numbers in them have been falling continuously, leading to “hollowing” of state-run schools.<br></br>Non-performing or “hollowed” government schools should be handed over to private players under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, NitiAayog has recommended.
PM on Pariksha Pe Charcha
Use technology, don’t let technology use you; exams are not end goal of students life; everyone should learn time management from their mothers.
From Right to Education to Right to Learning
NEP recommends that the curriculum load in each subject should be reduced to its essential core content. This would make space for holistic, discussion and analysis-based learning.
Bridging Learning Deficit
Basic learning levels are low in private schools in rural India with 60% class V students failing to solve a simple division, and 35% not being able to read a Class II-level paragraph.<br></br>Need to bring reforms using access, equity and quality as guiding factors.
Keyword
Content
Skill Capital
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) to train as many people as possible in various skills.<br></br>Skilled and able workforce will make India ‘skill capital’ of world.
Harmonisation of 3s
Skills, standards and service
Over Regulated and Under Governed
Too many rules and regulations. UGC and MHRD tell the universities what kind of syllabus they can teach, how many years a course must last, what the size of a classroom should be.<br></br>But least concerned about the learning outcome of the educational experience.
Quantity without Quality Syndrome
RTE has heavy emphasis on physical infrastructure in schools than on quality education like learning and teaching standards.<br></br>It is time to lay more stress on the quality of education, rather than on its quantity.
4 Ds
Demand, Demography, Deregulation and Democracy<br></br>For inviting foreign investment and manufacturing companies<br></br>Self-sufficient Economy.
Massification of Higher Education
Availability of higher education to everyone resulting in overwhelming numbers of students entering universities and a proliferation of higher education institutions to cater for these numbers of students.<br></br>Important questions on the quality of institutions and the employment of graduates remains.
Degree Shops
Institutions that offer degrees which are incompetent or sometimes fake at a price.
Islands of Excellence, Ocean of Mediocrity
India has just two universities among the world’s top 400, as per World University Rankings 2021.<br></br>While with 51,649 colleges and universities, the Indian higher education system is one of the largest in the world.
Politicization of Education
E.g. Reservation in education institutions became political agenda.
Brain Drain
Indian students more attracted towards going to foreign countries to study despite Indian education being more demanding.
Amrit Peedhi
The Union Budget 2023-24 has highlighted ‘Amrit Peedhi’ or ‘Youth Power’ as a priority under the ‘Saptarishi’ guiding us through the Amrit Kaal.
Winner Takes It All
Opinions of the rich and their lobbies are given more consideration, while voices of the poorest people and their associations are not even heard.
Life Cycle Based Approach
To develop and disseminate practical tools for the evaluation of opportunities, risks, and trade-offs associated with products and services over their entire life cycle to achieve sustainable development.
Demographic Bulge
A bulge or an indentation in the profile of the population pyramid may indicate unusually high fertility or mortality or changes in the population due to immigration or emigration.
Demographic Dividend
Economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population’s age structure, mainly when share of working-age population is larger than non-working-age share of the population.
Demographic Disaster
Demographic dividend can turn into demographic disaster if enough jobs are not created.
Demographic Time Bomb
If country’s population is falling faster than ever before.<br></br>Where fertility rates are falling at same time that longevity is increasing.
Gig Economy
Free market system where temporary positions are common and companies hire independent workers for short-term commitments.
Over-Enforcement Risks
Potential negative consequences resulting from very strict enforcement of laws, rules and regulations.
Smart Factory
A highly digitized shop floor that continuously collects and shares data from connected machines, devices, and production systems.<br></br>End goal of digitization in manufacturing.
Sun of Development
While addressing a special session of Arunachal Pradesh’s Legislative Assembly, President Droupadi Murmu said the “sun of development is shining” in the state.<br></br>She said the state has the potential to become an “attractive investment destination” as it has “rich natural resources and quality human resources”.
4 Ss
Skill, Scale, Speed with Standards<br></br>To increase productivity and boost employability among youth. To become ‘SKILLED INDIA’.
Skill Mismatch
A discrepancy between the skills that are sought by employers and the skills that are possessed by individuals.<br></br>This means that education and training are not providing the skills demanded in the labour market.
Skill Shortage
When there are not enough people available with the skills needed to do the jobs.
Cultural Ambassadors vs. Brain Drain
Persons like Sonam Wangchuk, who contribute to the Indian society by coming one step forward, are well-recognized all over the world and act as a cultural ambassador.<br></br>On the other hand, there is a trend to go abroad for higher education and eventually settle there. - Modi
Golden Mean Between Ideological Rigidities vs. Mindless Aping of West
The cultural values or ethos of Indian society and ideas or practices coming from western countries that may not be compatible with each other. A golden mean approach should be taken.<br></br>We must preserve our rich spiritual culture and allow wise blending of western culture with it.
3 As
Access, Affordability, Availability of skilling courses
Keyword
Content
Policy Ambiguity
Lack of clarity in terms of policy framework or a clause has been left open-ended with multiple interpretations.<br></br>E.g.: Companies Act not defining the post of the Director.
Naturalization
Acquiring citizenship of a country, with or without formal effort.<br></br>E.g.: A person can acquire citizenship by naturalization if he/she is ordinarily resident of India for 12 years.
Usual Residents of the Country
An individual who has been residing in a local area for at least the last 6 months or intends to stay in a particular area for the next 6 months.
Political Neutrality
An IAS officer performing his duty and obligations without any bias or preference to the ideology of the political party in power.
Secular Education
The complete separation of religion from the functioning of schools and the educational curricula.<br></br>E.g.: No religious morning prayers in school assemblies.
Catch Up Rule
If a senior candidate of the general category is promoted after SC/ST candidates, he would regain his seniority in promotion over the juniors promoted ahead of him under the reserved vacancies.
Basic Structure Doctrine
The parts of the constitution, changing which would tantamount to changing the entire constitution.
Bulldozer Effect (Tanzanian President)
A tough, no-nonsense leader who’s not afraid to stamp on corrupt toes and doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty.
Purposive Interpretation
When statutory and constitutional laws are interpreted by common law courts on the basis of the purpose of enactment of law.<br></br>E.g.: Full bench of Central Information Commission declared all national parties as public authorities within the purview of RTI ACT, 2005.
Constitutional Outrage
Attempts to sabotage parliamentary processes and functioning.
Institutional Correctives
A set of legislative measures like the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act that checks on terror financing.
Voter Apathy
Voter apathy refers to a lack of interest in participating in elections by certain groups of voters.
Right to Silence
The right to silence is a legal principle which guarantees any individual the right to refuse to answer questions from law enforcement officers or court officials.<br></br>E.g.: The right is protected by Articles 20 (3) and 21 of the Constitution of India.
Missing Voters
Name missing from the voter’s list and need to register again.<br></br>E.g.: More than 20 million missing women voters on average in every constituency in India in 2019 elections.
Super Cabinet
A political cabinet with power over another subordinate cabinet.
Fair Power Sharing
The equal distribution of power among the organs of the government such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary.<br></br>E.g.: In democracy, there is fair power sharing.
Political Football
A problem that politicians from different parties argue about and try to use in order to get an advantage for themselves.<br></br>E.g.: Alliance between ideologically different political parties like in Maharashtra.
Political Arm Twisting
The use of political pressure to gain support.<br></br>E.g.: Center using the post of governor to control policies in the state.
Parking Lot for Politicians
Backdoor entry of politicians who lost in elections.<br></br>E.g.: Vidhan Parishad is considered a parking lot for politicians.
Safety Valve
E.g.: Rajya Sabha, the Safety Valve of Indian Federalism.
Power of Purse
The power of the purse is the ability of one group to manipulate and control the actions of another group by withholding funding, or putting stipulations on the use of funds.<br></br>E.g.: GST fund transfer from center to state.
Inverted Democracy
Democracy or democratic structure not adhering to fundamentals of true democracy like rights to citizens and freedom.<br></br>E.g.: Voices of dissent being curbed in a democratic country.
Perversion of Democracy
Distortion or corruption in democracy.
From ‘Paper Democracy to Participatory Democracy’
A form of government in which citizens participate individually and directly in political decisions and policies that affect their lives, rather than through elected representatives.
Civic Nationalism
Belief in an inclusive form of nationalism that adheres to traditional liberal values of freedom, tolerance, equality, and individual rights.
Enlightened Public Opinion
Enlightened public opinion was considered the fulcrum of a thriving democracy.
Paradox of Poor People with Rich Parliamentarians
High number of richest politicians in Parliament.
Nuts and Bolts of State Machinery
Budget aims to fix ‘nuts and bolts’ of state machinery.<br></br>Refers to basic components of government or political system that supports its operations and decision making.
Integrated Service Delivery
Differentiated targets are replaced with a single consolidated approach to reduce duplication of effort, improve sharing of knowledge, and lead to better results for individuals, families, and communities.<br></br>E.g.: In Healthcare, delivery of preventive as well as curative treatment.
Rule-Based Human Resource Management
Set of mandatory laws governing hiring and employee benefits.
Keyword
Content
From Isolated Civic Spaces to Interactive Civic Spaces
Space where individuals can freely express their opinions.
Armchair Bureaucrats
Refers to civil servants who ignore the realistic aspects and make policy decisions based only on documents.<br></br>E.g.: During the lockdown, policymakers ignored the realistic aspects of migrants and their real issues.
Responsibility Matrix
Describes the participation by various roles in completing tasks or deliverables for a project or business process.
Laboratory Federalism
Politically decentralized countries may benefit from better policies than centralized countries.<br></br>E.g.: 73rd and 74th amendment acts.
Micro-Management of States
Devolved territories have the power to make legislation relevant to the area, granting them a higher level of autonomy.<br></br>E.g.: In the later phase of the lockdown, all policies were taken by considering conditions at the local level.
3N
Niyat (intention), Niyam (set of rules), Neeti (code of conduct).
Governance Trap
Tracking behavior and change explores practical ways of addressing the conflict between the flexibility and subjectivity of governance ideas.
Light but Tight Regulatory Approach
NEP proposes a ‘light but tight’ regulatory framework under a single central authority, but given our culture of governmental control, it could end up as ‘tight’ rather than ‘light’.
Citizen is Always Right Mantra
PM Modi stated that government officials should work with the ‘citizen is always right’ mantra.
Over-Regulated and Under-Governed
Complex regulatory structure with multiple regulations and processes.
Rent Seeking Culture
The government needs to eliminate rents, such as approved permits (AP) or licenses, to curb “Ali Baba”, or rent-seeking culture in the country.
Monolithic Regulatory Architecture
NEP’s regulatory architecture is too monolithic for higher education in a diverse country.
Dynamic Governance
Dynamic governance is a social technology for governing and operating organizations and networks. It distributes policymaking throughout all levels of the organization and establishes equivalence among its members within their domain of responsibility.
Glamorous Policy Making and Humble Implementation
Gaps in policy making and real-time implementation.
Service Delayed is Service Denied
Delay in delivery of government services.
From ‘Governance of Skew to Governance of Saturation
Need for inclusive governance.
Entrepreneurial Bureaucracy
Granting not only the possibility of a bureaucracy to be entrepreneurial in its spirit but also the attainability of a bureaucracy that fundamentally fosters and promotes intrastate entrepreneurship and innovation in both the public and state administration.
Errors of Inclusion and Exclusion
Errors in the identification of beneficiaries.
From Trusted Steel Frame to Becoming Rusted Steel Frame
India’s steel frame (civil services) looks rusted. All India Services, that provided the ‘steel frame’ of governance in democratic India, granting Constitutional autonomy to state administration, particularly on the police front, are failing to deliver due to the declining decision-making ability of officers.
Domainisation of Civil Services
Civil services restricted to particular sectors.
People-Centric Development Policy
Development based on people’s needs.
Satark Bharat, Samriddha Bharat
The Vigilance Awareness Week theme, “सतर्क भारत, समृद्ध भारत – Satark Bharat, Samriddh Bharat (Vigilant India, Prosperous India).”
From Government-First Approach to Citizen-First Approach
Placing citizens at the forefront.
Samarth Bharat, Sampann Bharat, Swayampurna Bharat, Shaktiman Bharat, and Gatiwan Bharat
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the budget was a big step in the direction of Samarth Bharat, Sampann Bharat, Swayampurna Bharat, Shaktiman Bharat, Gatiwan Bharat.
Dematerialization of Documents
The move from physical certificates to electronic bookkeeping.
File Pushing and Red Tapism
Red tape refers to regulations or conformity to formal rules or standards which are claimed to be excessive, rigid, or redundant, or to bureaucracy claimed to hinder or prevent action or decision-making.
Policy Paralysis to Decisive Governance
The hallmark of PM Modi’s leadership is “Decisive Governance”, which has resulted in a paradigm shift in how the government approaches issues confronting the nation.
Principle of Proportionality
Proportionality means that administrative action should not be more drastic than it ought to be for obtaining the desired result.
Keyword
Content
Fair Balance Test
E.g.: In judicial verdicts, balance between the general interest of the community and the interests of individuals is always tested.
Scandalizing the Court
Deliberate insult or fraudulent speculation of the judiciary.<br></br>E.g.: Kunal Kamra’s latest tweets on the judiciary.
Stopgap Arrangement
Judicial guidelines function as stopgap arrangements until parliamentary legislation comes into force to tackle urgent situations.
Recuse
Excuse oneself from a case due to potential conflict of interest.<br></br>E.g.: 5 SC judges recused themselves from hearing the Navlakha case.
Basic Procedural Justice
Procedural justice is the idea of fairness in the processes that resolve disputes and allocate resources.
People’s Tribunal
A tribunal organized by civil society groups.<br></br>E.g.: A People’s Tribunal was set up in Assam following NRC.
Tribunalisation of Justice
Judges sit and decide controversies between the parties and exercise judicial powers as distinguished from purely administrative functions.<br></br>E.g.: Most companies try to solve cases in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), e.g., Cyrus Pallonji Mistry case.
Command Responsibility Principle
E.g.: When military commanders or police chiefs fail to effectively prevent, suppress, or punish their subordinates’ illegal activities, the chief may be punished for the subordinates’ crimes.
Opt-in Model
The option where going into mediation is voluntary in Online Dispute Resolutions (ODR).
Dispute Containment
Only those disputes that require judicial resolution should reach the courts. Matters that do not require judicial resolution should not reach the courts at all.
Trivialization of Justice
Tribunalization of justice may lead to trivialization of justice.
Connectivity Revolution
Connecting all parts of life with technology and digital media.<br></br>E.g.: Internet of Things.
Data Disaggregation
Refers to numerical or non-numerical information that has been broken down into component parts or smaller units of data.<br></br>Helps in having a better sectoral understanding of various areas of concern.
Data-Centric Economy
Economy in which decision-making is driven by data collected, stored, and analyzed.
Data Colonization to Data Nationalism
Data nationalization is an effort by nation-states to ensure control over data for a range of security-based reasons.
Secret Treaty
A treaty in which the contracting state parties have agreed to conceal the treaty’s existence or substance from other states and the public.<br></br>E.g.: Swiss bank has a secret treaty with its customers so that they don’t reveal their data in the public.
Proactive Diplomacy
Creating and controlling diplomatic relations rather than responding to concerns and issues.<br></br>E.g.: PM Modi’s visit to Pacific islands even without any pending issues.
4th Pillar of Democracy
Media is considered the Fourth Pillar of Democracy.<br></br>E.g.: Involves awareness programs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Corporatization of Media
Consciously redesigned as pure business enterprises with the sole aim of profit-making.<br></br>E.g.: TRP scam exposed corporatization of media.
Advertorial
A newspaper or magazine advertisement giving information about a product in the style of an editorial or objective journalistic article.
Studio Room Journalism
Journalism where news stories are collected, written, edited, and then broadcasted.
Embedded Journalism
News reporters being attached to military units involved in armed conflicts.<br></br>E.g.: Journalism during recent India-Pakistan conflicts.
Rat Race Journalism
Symbolizes the ever-accelerating struggle against deadlines and constant pressure associated with new media-oriented design.<br></br>E.g.: Various TV channels hounding after Rhea Chakraborty in the SSR case.
Advertorials
An advertorial is an advertisement in the form of editorial content.
Victimological Underpinnings
Study of the victims of crimes.<br></br>E.g.: Insights into Dalit victimological underpinnings can help to understand the socio-economic situation for them.
Custodial Death
Death of an individual while in the custody of the police, often resulting from police excesses.<br></br>E.g.: The deaths of Jeyaraj and Benicks in Tamil Nadu during the lockdown.
Human-Centric Security
Security with a focus on protecting individuals rather than defending state structures.<br></br>E.g.: Ban on landmines - Ensures human security before strategic security.
Test of Reasonableness
A decision must not be arbitrary, artificial, or evasive. It should be based on an intelligible differentia, some real and substantial distinction.<br></br>E.g.: In the Aadhar verdict, a test was laid down to adjudge the reasonableness of the invasion of privacy.
Mass Exodus
E.g.: The lockdown led to an exodus of migrant workers struggling to reach their home states.
Non-Motorized Transport
Environmentally friendly transport like bicycles, walking, and segways.
Trained Incapacity
The idea that certain types of education, training, experience, and habit may lead an individual to be unable to think beyond a set of constraints.
Ethical Competence
The ability to distinguish right from wrong.<br></br>E.g.: Ethical competence is required by the police and armed forces.
Integral Humanism (Deen Dayal Upadhyay)
Rejecting the intrinsic diversity based on race, color, caste, or religion, it identifies all human beings as part of one organic whole.
Sabka Saath, Sabka Gaon, Sabka Vikas
Inclusive development.
Karein Prayas, Payein Vikas
Economic development.
Bread and Butter Developmental Priorities
Refers to essential needs of society that must be addressed to achieve sustainable development.
Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan
Panchayati Raj institutions have to be made stronger and more vibrant.<br></br>Purchasing power of people in rural India has to increase, which will power India’s economy.
Red Tape to Red Carpet
People-friendly reforms.
Jan Andolan
People-centric government.
Sankalp se Siddhi
Poverty-free India, Corruption-free India, Terrorism-free India, Communalism-free India, Casteism-free India.
Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat
Unity in diversity.
Sarpanch Pati
Husbands who wield control in panchayats by making their wives contest.
Swiss Challenge
A process of giving contracts where any person with credentials can submit a development proposal to the government. That proposal will be made online, and a second person can give suggestions to improve and beat that proposal.
Creeping Decentralization
Slow process of decentralization.
Regulatory Arbitrage
A practice whereby firms capitalize on loopholes in regulatory systems in order to circumvent unfavorable regulations.
Principle of Subsidiarity
The principle stipulates that the functions of administration shall be carried out at the smallest unit of governance possible and delegated upwards only when the local unit cannot perform the task.
Image of Entrenched Corruption
Corruption is so deeply entrenched that it is now considered a social norm.
Keyword
Content
Suited Booted Plutocracy
Prime Minister has a clean image, despite persistent opposition attempts to paint him as a lackey of the ‘suited-booted’ plutocracy.
Implementation Deficit
Slow and slack implementation of government programmes.
Reducing Regulatory Cholesterol
Cuts down ministries, compliance, and filing costs.
Hand in Glove with Power Elites
Bureaucratic and politicians nexus.
From “Space Spaces to Brave Spaces”
It means not just the protection of citizens but also giving them a platform to voice dissent and opinions.
Triple Engine Government
When the centre, state, and local bodies work together effectively.
Keyword
Description and Example
Gujral Doctrine
A five-point doctrine aimed at recognizing the importance of friendly and cordial relations with India’s neighbours, especially Pakistan.
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) Doctrine
A doctrine to deter the use of nuclear weapons as both sides are guaranteed to be totally destroyed in the conflict. Example: It helped to prevent direct full-scale conflicts between US and Russia during the Cold War.
Preventive Diplomacy
Refers to stopping armed conflicts before they escalate to widespread violence. Example: UN peacekeeping mission in Macedonia (UNPREDEP) in 1995–1999 (First UN preventive action).
Quiet Diplomacy
Diplomacy carried on through peaceful means like mediation, conciliation, and arbitration.
Diplomacy and Dialogue
Cooperation in case of conflicts.
De-Hyphenation
Dealing with two countries having hostile relationships between them, in an independent manner. Example: In 2014, India instituted such a policy toward Israel and Palestine.
De-dollarization of World Economy
Refers to countries reducing reliance on U.S. dollar as a reserve currency, medium of exchange, or as a unit of account.
Ping Pong Diplomacy
Using sports as a diplomatic tool to ease not-so-well bilateral ties. Example: 1971, Exchange of table tennis players between US and China in the midst of Cold War melted their frosted ties.
Panchsheel
Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet region of China and India, 1954. Agreement based on principles like mutual respect, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful co-existence.
New Panchsheel
The guiding principles defining Indo-China relations: Soch (thought), Sampark (contact), Sahyog (cooperation), Sankalp (determination), Sapne (dreams).
America First Policy
A stance of Isolationism through tearing up trade deals, stepping back from global institutions, and championing US industries and workers. Example: U.S. exited the Trans-Pacific Partnership, cut funding for the World Health Organization, etc.
Act Far East Policy
Asserted that India will walk shoulder-to-shoulder with Russia in its development of the resource-rich region of the Far East. Example: India announced a $1 billion line of credit for its development.
Soft Diplomacy and Sandhi
Propounded by Kautilya and Kamandak. Ability of a country to persuade others to do what it wants without resorting to force or coercion.
Truman Doctrine, 1947
The doctrine committed that US would provide political, military, and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from external or internal authoritarian forces.
Mao’s 5 Finger Policy
Mao considered Tibet to be China’s right-hand palm and a strategic passage to extend China’s geopolitical ambition in South Asia, with five fingers including Indian territories and neighboring countries.
String of Pearls
A network of Chinese military and commercial facilities in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Example: Lease of the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, China’s Naval Intelligence Unit at a base in Coco Islands.
Neighbourhood First Policy
Part of India’s foreign policy that emphasizes improving ties with India’s immediate neighbours. Example: SAGAR initiative, PM visits to Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, etc.
Twitter Diplomacy
Prominence of social media in the current environment for the discharge of diplomatic functions. Also called Twiplomacy or Hashtag Diplomacy.
Unilateralism
An approach in which states act without regard to the interests of other states. Example: American President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord in 2017.
China’s “Two-Ocean” Strategy
Refers to the Pacific and Indian oceans. Aimed at redistributing the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region in its favor by expanding its naval operations from the South China Sea and Western Pacific into the Indian Ocean, where it seeks to conduct “far seas operations”.
Medical Diplomacy
To achieve the dual goal of improving global health and bettering international relations.
One China Policy
Any country wishing to establish diplomatic relations with China (PRC) must acknowledge there is only ‘One China’ and sever all formal ties with Taiwan.
Chequebook Diplomacy
A form of soft power in the form of aid or development funds used by major economic or political powers to assist usually small recipient countries in return for diplomatic or political support. Example: China’s aid and investment in Sri Lanka.
Full Spectrum Diplomacy
Integration of government-to-government diplomacy with public diplomacy and other instruments of engagement like cultural diplomacy to enhance contact with people at the grassroots level.
Debt-trap Diplomacy
When relations go sour between China and the recipient, China may start charging higher interest payments or seizing strategic assets as loan collateral. Example: China has taken Hambantota Port for 99 years lease from Sri Lanka as collateral.
First Responder
Reflects the country’s growing capability and increasing willingness to assume the role of a leading power. Example: India’s aid to cyclone Ava in Madagascar.
Strategic Encirclement
China’s strategy of encirclement vis-à-vis India is becoming evident in 3-pronged manner: economic, military, and diplomatic. Example: OBOR Initiative, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, String of Pearls, etc.
India as Net Security Provider
Reflects India’s aspirations to take a leading strategic role throughout the Indian Ocean and to expand its strategic reach even into the Pacific. Example: Indian Navy is an important provider of security throughout the western Indian Ocean to combat threats from Somalia.
From Nationalist Approach to World Approach
Expanding collaboration between nations in a region.
One Country Two Systems Approach
Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions can have different economic and political systems from that of mainland China, while being part of the People’s Republic of China.
Weaponization of Global Finance
Making something ready to be used as a weapon to wage war.
Geopolitics of Techno Nationalism
Countries using technology to assert their national interests, gain strategic advantage, and shape global balance of power.
Strategic Dialogue
Sensitive and high-level dialogues between two or more governments/institutions on matters of national/international security.
Strategic Embrace
Ongoing strategic embrace between India and USA is a result of powerful common interests and clear perception of advantages on both sides.
Domino Effect
A theory where the loss of influence over one state to an adversary will lead to a subsequent loss of control over neighboring states. It was used by the United States in Vietnam, fearing that if Vietnam became communist, neighboring countries would also fall under communist influence.
STRENGTH
Emphasizes and promotes the importance of people-to-people contact between India and China. STRENGTH stands for S-Spirituality, T-Tradition, Trade and Technology, R-Relationship, E-Entertainment (Movies, Art, Dances etc.), N-Nature conservation, G-Games, T-Tourism, H-Health and Healing.
Roti-Beti ka Rishta
Indo-Nepal relations by close bonds through marriages and familial ties.
Monsoon Desk
Established at the US National Centres for Environmental Predictions to coordinate all activities for India’s monsoon-related work.
Space Situational Awareness
Indo-US agreement to share information on space debris and space traffic management.
Power of Siberia
First cross-border natural gas pipeline between Russia and China, also known as China-Russia East-Route Natural Gas pipeline.
Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled Peace Process
India believes any peace process must be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled, respecting the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and preserving the progress made in the establishment of a democratic Islamic Republic in Afghanistan.
2+2 Engagements
To establish diplomatic conversation between two appointed ministers from each country to discuss strategic and security interests. Example: U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, India-Australia Secretary-level 2+2 dialogue.
Wuhan Spirit
India-China willing to focus on the larger relationship and move forward, putting the differences aside. Example: Cooperation in areas of trade, investments, culture, etc.
Chain Ganging
A term used to describe how, in a balance of power scenario, alliance partners must follow the lead when another goes to war. If a partner does not participate, it endangers the security of its allies.
Bivalent Relationship
Means that two countries compete and cooperate at the same time. Example: India
Keyword
Description and Example
Gujral Doctrine
A five-point doctrine aimed at recognizing the importance of friendly and cordial relations with India’s neighbours, especially Pakistan.
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) Doctrine
A doctrine to deter the use of nuclear weapons as both sides are guaranteed to be totally destroyed in the conflict. Example: It helped to prevent direct full-scale conflicts between US and Russia during the Cold War.
Preventive Diplomacy
Refers to stopping armed conflicts before they escalate to widespread violence. Example: UN peacekeeping mission in Macedonia (UNPREDEP) in 1995–1999 (First UN preventive action).
Quiet Diplomacy
Diplomacy carried on through peaceful means like mediation, conciliation, and arbitration.
Diplomacy and Dialogue
Cooperation in case of conflicts.
De-Hyphenation
Dealing with two countries having hostile relationships between them, in an independent manner. Example: In 2014, India instituted such a policy toward Israel and Palestine.
De-dollarization of World Economy
Refers to countries reducing reliance on U.S. dollar as a reserve currency, medium of exchange, or as a unit of account.
Ping Pong Diplomacy
Using sports as a diplomatic tool to ease not-so-well bilateral ties. Example: 1971, Exchange of table tennis players between US and China in the midst of Cold War melted their frosted ties.
Panchsheel
Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet region of China and India, 1954. Agreement based on principles like mutual respect, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful co-existence.
New Panchsheel
The guiding principles defining Indo-China relations: Soch (thought), Sampark (contact), Sahyog (cooperation), Sankalp (determination), Sapne (dreams).
America First Policy
A stance of Isolationism through tearing up trade deals, stepping back from global institutions, and championing US industries and workers. Example: U.S. exited the Trans-Pacific Partnership, cut funding for the World Health Organization, etc.
Act Far East Policy
Asserted that India will walk shoulder-to-shoulder with Russia in its development of the resource-rich region of the Far East. Example: India announced a $1 billion line of credit for its development.
Soft Diplomacy and Sandhi
Propounded by Kautilya and Kamandak. Ability of a country to persuade others to do what it wants without resorting to force or coercion.
Truman Doctrine, 1947
The doctrine committed that US would provide political, military, and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from external or internal authoritarian forces.
Mao’s 5 Finger Policy
Mao considered Tibet to be China’s right-hand palm and a strategic passage to extend China’s geopolitical ambition in South Asia, with five fingers including Indian territories and neighboring countries.
String of Pearls
A network of Chinese military and commercial facilities in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Example: Lease of the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, China’s Naval Intelligence Unit at a base in Coco Islands.
Neighbourhood First Policy
Part of India’s foreign policy that emphasizes improving ties with India’s immediate neighbours. Example: SAGAR initiative, PM visits to Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, etc.
Twitter Diplomacy
Prominence of social media in the current environment for the discharge of diplomatic functions. Also called Twiplomacy or Hashtag Diplomacy.
Unilateralism
An approach in which states act without regard to the interests of other states. Example: American President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord in 2017.
China’s “Two-Ocean” Strategy
Refers to the Pacific and Indian oceans. Aimed at redistributing the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region in its favor by expanding its naval operations from the South China Sea and Western Pacific into the Indian Ocean, where it seeks to conduct “far seas operations”.
Medical Diplomacy
To achieve the dual goal of improving global health and bettering international relations.
One China Policy
Any country wishing to establish diplomatic relations with China (PRC) must acknowledge there is only ‘One China’ and sever all formal ties with Taiwan.
Chequebook Diplomacy
A form of soft power in the form of aid or development funds used by major economic or political powers to assist usually small recipient countries in return for diplomatic or political support. Example: China’s aid and investment in Sri Lanka.
Full Spectrum Diplomacy
Integration of government-to-government diplomacy with public diplomacy and other instruments of engagement like cultural diplomacy to enhance contact with people at the grassroots level.
Debt-trap Diplomacy
When relations go sour between China and the recipient, China may start charging higher interest payments or seizing strategic assets as loan collateral. Example: China has taken Hambantota Port for 99 years lease from Sri Lanka as collateral.
First Responder
Reflects the country’s growing capability and increasing willingness to assume the role of a leading power. Example: India’s aid to cyclone Ava in Madagascar.
Strategic Encirclement
China’s strategy of encirclement vis-à-vis India is becoming evident in 3-pronged manner: economic, military, and diplomatic. Example: OBOR Initiative, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, String of Pearls, etc.
India as Net Security Provider
Reflects India’s aspirations to take a leading strategic role throughout the Indian Ocean and to expand its strategic reach even into the Pacific. Example: Indian Navy is an important provider of security throughout the western Indian Ocean to combat threats from Somalia.
From Nationalist Approach to World Approach
Expanding collaboration between nations in a region.
One Country Two Systems Approach
Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions can have different economic and political systems from that of mainland China, while being part of the People’s Republic of China.
Weaponization of Global Finance
Making something ready to be used as a weapon to wage war.
Geopolitics of Techno Nationalism
Countries using technology to assert their national interests, gain strategic advantage, and shape global balance of power.
Strategic Dialogue
Sensitive and high-level dialogues between two or more governments/institutions on matters of national/international security.
Strategic Embrace
Ongoing strategic embrace between India and USA is a result of powerful common interests and clear perception of advantages on both sides.
Domino Effect
A theory where the loss of influence over one state to an adversary will lead to a subsequent loss of control over neighboring states. It was used by the United States in Vietnam, fearing that if Vietnam became communist, neighboring countries would also fall under communist influence.
STRENGTH
Emphasizes and promotes the importance of people-to-people contact between India and China. STRENGTH stands for S-Spirituality, T-Tradition, Trade and Technology, R-Relationship, E-Entertainment (Movies, Art, Dances etc.), N-Nature conservation, G-Games, T-Tourism, H-Health and Healing.
Roti-Beti ka Rishta
Indo-Nepal relations by close bonds through marriages and familial ties.
Monsoon Desk
Established at the US National Centres for Environmental Predictions to coordinate all activities for India’s monsoon-related work.
Space Situational Awareness
Indo-US agreement to share information on space debris and space traffic management.
Power of Siberia
First cross-border natural gas pipeline between Russia and China, also known as China-Russia East-Route Natural Gas pipeline.
Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled Peace Process
India believes any peace process must be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled, respecting the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and preserving the progress made in the establishment of a democratic Islamic Republic in Afghanistan.
2+2 Dialogue
A new mechanism proposed by China under which China and India can jointly conduct a dialogue with a third regional country. Example: China proposed 2+1 talks with Nepal.
Goodwill Visit
Visit to another nation to reaffirm cooperation and engagement and strengthen friendly ties. Example: PM Modi’s visits to Japan, Russia, and Central Asian countries.
The Great Game
An intense rivalry between the British and Russian Empires in Central Asia running through Afghanistan, Tibet, and Persia. Ended with the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907.
Rogue Regime
A regime under which states are assumed to be capable of launching a nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) attack. Example: North Korea and Iran as per United States
Multipolar World
Power distributed among multiple countries rather than dominated by one. Example: China seen as a challenger to the US, with Russia, India, and Germany as other contenders for global power.
Two-State Solution
Supports the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine while maintaining India’s growing relationship with Israel.
Economic Integration Road Map
Conceptualizes a “sub-region” including the five southern states of India and Sri Lanka, aiming for deeper integration than the ASEAN-led RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) agreement.
Minilaterals
Small group of countries/organizations dealing with specific topics or issues. Examples: Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) 2.0, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism, India-U.S.-Japan trilateral.
Proxy War
An armed conflict between two states acting on behalf of other parties not directly involved in hostilities. Examples: Vietnam War, Syrian Civil War.
China-Russia-Pakistan Axis
Aims to fill the geopolitical vacuum created by the US withdrawal from Central Asia. Example: Russia joining the One Belt One Road Initiative, joint involvement in Afghan reconciliation process.
Three Evils
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) focus on tackling terrorism, extremism, and separatism to address rising threats.
ASEAN Way
Informal and consensual approach emphasizing compromise, consultation, and avoidance of conflict, characterized by quiet diplomacy and coordination among member states.
India as Swing State
A situation where India’s choice influences others or swings the decision of a group. Example: US wants India to cooperate in the Indo-Pacific to contain China’s rise.
Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle
Asia’s two main opium-producing centers. The Golden Crescent includes Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan. The Golden Triangle includes Myanmar, Laos, Thailand.
Reverse Globalization
Marked by protectionist stances and incidents such as Brexit, trade protectionism, and border control advocating protectionism.
NORMS: New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System
India’s priorities at the UNSC through the Five-S approach: Samman (Respect), Samvad (Dialogue), Sahyog (Cooperation), Shanti (Peace), and Samriddhi (Prosperity).
Ocean’s Eleven
ASEAN grouping acknowledged Indo-Pacific for dialogue and cooperation, aiming for growth and development through greater connectivity, trade, and investment.
India’s Extended Neighborhood
Regions beyond South Asia including West Asia, the Gulf, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Asia Pacific, and the Indian Ocean Region.
All Bark and No Bite
Full of big talk but lacking action. Example: ASEAN’s role in mitigating disputes in Asia.
Civic Nationalism
Sense of belonging through citizenship and political equality, adhering to traditional liberal values of freedom, equality, and individual rights.
Principle of Collective Defence
NATO motto: “An armed attack upon one shall be considered an attack upon them all.”
Petro Dollars
System where oil is exchanged for U.S. dollars between countries buying and producing oil.
Opinion Manipulation
Foreign interference in internal matters using Big Data and AI. Example: Cambridge Analytica case.
Ethnic Cleansing
Elimination of an ethnic group from a society, as by genocide or forced emigration. Example: UN referred to Myanmar Army’s actions against the Rohingya community as ethnic cleansing.
Intent Requirement Clause - Ethnic Cleansing
Genocidal acts carried out with specific intent to eliminate a people based on their ethnicity. Example: Rohingya community of Myanmar.
Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS)
US operations to promote freedom of navigation and enforce international law and customs regarding navigation.
Water Tower of Asia
The Himalayas are called the “water towers” of Asia due to their role in supplying water to the continent through glaciers and tall mountains.
Medical Tourism
Traveling to a place other than where one resides for medical treatment. Example: India for cardiac and orthopedic surgeries; South Korea for spinal surgeries and cancer screenings.
Knowledge Tourism
Traveling to acquire or improve knowledge or experience.
Global Supply Chains
Networks spanning multiple continents for sourcing and supplying goods and services. Examples: Food and beverage, mining companies, oil and gas, electronics, textile industries.
Institutional Sclerosis
Institutions failing to adapt and change to address new global challenges such as climate change, data privacy, and cybersecurity.
Extinction Rebellion
Global environmental movement using nonviolent civil disobedience to tackle climate change.
The Asian Century
Refers to Asia’s expected dominant role in the 21st century due to its burgeoning economy and demographic trends.
Euro-centrism
Bias towards Europeans in contexts like Nobel Prizes awarded by the Swedish Academy.
Adventurism
China’s aggressive foreign policy, such as in Eastern Ladakh, the South China Sea, and the Indian Ocean Region.
Zero-Sum Game
A situation where one party’s loss is another party’s gain, with the net change being zero.
Grey Zone Tactics
Political warfare where operations do not clearly cross the threshold of war. Example: China’s quick land grabs.
Strategy of Maximum Pressure
A strategy using diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to push a nation’s regime to negotiate and make compromises. Example: US strategy on Iran with strict sanctions.
Nuclear Commitments
Commitments for the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Example: Iran’s commitment to scale back nuclear activities after US sanctions.
Osaka Track
Promotes international policy discussions on trade-related aspects of electronic commerce, also known as digital diplomacy at WTO.
Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT)
An initiative under the Osaka Track aimed at eliminating restrictions on cross-border data flows.
Air Bubble Agreements
Temporary arrangements for restarting commercial passenger services between two countries when regular flights are suspended due to COVID-19.
Data Secure Status
India’s demand for data secure status to lift restrictions on outsourcing business at the stalled EU-India Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement.
Abraham Accord
Aims to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and two Arab Gulf states, Bahrain and the UAE, promoting mutual understanding and coexistence.
Blue Dot Network
Certifies infrastructure projects that uphold global principles and help attract private funding.
Land for Peace
UNSC resolution for Israel to return captured areas to occupied Arab territories, including Palestinian land, in exchange for peace with Israel.
Democratic Backsliding
Declining importance and influence of political institutions sustaining democracy. Example: Democratic erosion in Hong Kong, Hungary’s open claims of being an illiberal democracy.
Peace to Prosperity
Middle East Peace Plan of the US aimed at improving the lives of Palestinian and Israeli people.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Aims to limit the spread of nuclear weapons with three elements: non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Vaccine Bonds and Advanced Market Commitments (AMCs)
Innovative funding mechanisms to incentivize vaccine production in low-income countries.
Term
Description
Pluralism
Power is dispersed among various pressure groups, not held by a single elite or group of elites. Example: Labor unions and employers sharing responsibilities for employees’ needs.
New START 2026
Treaty between the USA and Russia for further reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms.
Positive Consensus Mechanism
Decisions are adopted if there is no objection from any contracting party. Example: GATT council.
Reverse Consensus Mechanism
A member blocking a decision must persuade all others to join its opposition or remain passive. Example: WTO Dispute Settlement Body.
New Southbound Policy
Taiwan’s policy to advance ties with South Asian countries in areas like agriculture and medicine.
Zone of Peace
A region where states have maintained peaceful relations for at least 30 years. Example: Western Europe, North America, Nepal.
Natural Partner/Ally
An entity with common beliefs, interests, or goals likely to be allies. Example: India and Bhutan.
Revisionist Power
Powers that challenge and seek to replace the current international order. Example: China, Russia.
Co-production & Co-development
Shift from a buyer-seller dynamic to co-development in defense technology.
Industry-to-Industry Framework
Mechanism for dialogue between US and Indian defense companies and governments on defense technology.
India’s Extended Neighbourhood
Regions beyond South Asia, stretching from the Suez Canal to the South China Sea, including West Asia, the Gulf, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Asia Pacific, and the Indian Ocean Region.
Nuclear Apartheid
Condition where major nuclear powers maintain nuclear weapons while prohibiting others from developing them. Example: US warnings to countries like Iraq.
Deep State
Influential people within government or military trying to secretly control government policies. Example: Pakistan National Alliance of 1977.
Malacca Dilemma
Concerns potential disruption of China’s economic development via the Strait of Malacca.
De-dollarization
Efforts to reduce reliance on the US dollar in transactions. Example: Russia’s talks with China.
No Limits Partnership
China and Russia’s agreement for a partnership without limits, declared during Beijing Winter Olympics.
Camaraderie
Mutual trust and friendship among countries with shared ideology or interests.
Bonhomie
Friendliness and amicable relations.
CATCH 22
A dilemma with no escape due to mutually conflicting conditions.
Bandwagoning
Aligning with a more powerful state.
Techno-politics
Use of technology in geopolitical contexts. Example: China’s facial recognition technology.
Nuclear Umbrella
A nuclear state providing protection to non-nuclear states.
Smart Power
Using both hard power and soft power strategically.
Sharp Power
Manipulative diplomatic methods to influence other countries.
Phoney War
Period of official war without actual fighting.
Rogue State
States operating outside international norms.
Shuttle Diplomacy
Diplomacy using a third party as an intermediary between disputing countries.
Rapprochement
Resumption of good relations after a conflict.
Sending an Olive Branch
Proposal for peace.
Gun Boat Diplomacy
Using military power or threat to influence other countries.
Steeped so Low/Nadir
Relations at their lowest phase.
Preponderance of Power
One group having more power than others.
Unit Veto System
In nuclear strategy, a small country can potentially attack a larger one.
Beggar Thy Neighbor
Policies that harm neighboring countries, such as currency devaluation.
Demarche
Diplomatic expression of displeasure.
Banana Republics
Economies dependent on one major good or resource.
Doctrine of Preemption
The policy of striking first to prevent an anticipated threat.
Rebalancing of Powers/Global Rebalancing
Shift of balance of power from the US to Asia due to China’s rise.
Offshore Balancing
US strategy of balancing power by forming alliances like Quad and AUKUS.
Strategic Convergence
Building alliances and partnerships to achieve strategic transformation.
New World Order
A representative, democratic, and multipolar world order.
Vasudhev Kutumbakam
The idea of rising above differences and loving one another.
Pax Britannica
The period of British dominance before the emergence of a new world order.
Indian Exceptionalism
India’s uniqueness rooted in its civilizational values.
Strategic Autonomy
Ability of a state to pursue its own interests and foreign policy independently.
Maximizing Convergences and Minimizing Divergences
Diplomacy focused on aligning shared interests and reducing differences.
Plurilateral Solutions
Combining multilateral and plurilateral approaches to address global challenges.
Global Good
India’s diplomatic pillar to be a force for global good.
Buckpassing
Shifting responsibility for handling a threat to other states.
Chain-Ganging
Increased risk of conflict due to multiple states forming alliances or coalitions.
Panipat Syndrome
Lack of strategic foresight and action.
New Asian Rebalance
Strategic alignment of India, US, and Japan against Russia, Pakistan, and China.
Credit Imperialism
Extending excessive credit to extract economic or political concessions.
Strategic Backyard
A nation’s strategic region that reflects its influence. Example: Sri Lanka’s hosting of a Chinese ship.
Elephant in the Room
A major problem that is being avoided or ignored.
Diplomatic Tightrope
Navigating complex diplomatic situations carefully. Example: India’s stance on Myanmar’s military junta.
Balkanization of EU
Fragmentation of the EU into smaller, often unfriendly, political units.
Nuclear Apartheid
Exclusion of certain regions from nuclear security debates.
Hesitations of History
Overcoming historical hesitations in relations. Example: India and the US.
Diplomatic Capital
Trust, goodwill, and influence in diplomacy.
Think Beyond “Delhi Dogma”
Moving beyond traditional constraints and barriers in India’s rise.
Centre of Gravity
The source of power that provides strength or freedom of action.
Places Turning into Bases
Instances of countries building or turning places into military bases. Example: China in Cambodia.
Chicken Neck Problem of India
The narrow corridor linking North East India to the rest of the country, crucial for maintaining access to these states.
Beneficial Bilateralism
India’s approach of providing assistance without reciprocity in South Asia.
New International Economic Order (NIEO)
Proposals by developing countries to end economic dependency and colonialism through a new interdependent economy.
Non-reciprocity
India’s policy of giving to neighbors in good faith without requiring reciprocity.
Mutually Assured Deterrence
Military strategy where nuclear retaliation would result in the annihilation of both the attacker and defender.
Tectonic Geopolitical Shifts
Major changes in global geopolitical dynamics.
Jingoism
Extreme patriotism leading to aggressive foreign policy.
Geopolitical Polarisation
Fragmentation of the international system into competing blocs.
Soft Diplomacy
Using cultural influence as a tool for diplomacy.
Transformational Diplomacy
Promoting democracy through coercive means. Example: US Bush administration’s policy.
Bretton Woods System
Economic governance system established after WWII.
Back Channel Diplomacy
Informal communication channels used for negotiations.
Billiard Ball Model
Realist view of states as unitary entities with internal politics irrelevant to external engagements.
Bipolarity
Power distribution characterized by two superpowers. Example: Cold War era.
Stateless Nation
A nation with no state or political control over its territory.
Failed State
A state lacking functional political institutions and sovereignty.
Isolationism
Policy of avoiding international alliances and agreements, characterized by non-intervention and unilateralism.
