Geopolitical Significance of Diego Garcia and the Indian Ocean Region
Diego Garcia, a U.S.-U.K. base in the Chagos Islands, is strategically vital for military operations in the Indian Ocean, impacting regional security and glo...
U.S. considers buying Chagos Islands: reports
The article reports that the U.S. White House is considering a plan to purchase the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, potentially bypassing the U.K. This move aims to secure the strategic Diego Garcia atoll, which hosts a vital U.S.-U.K. military facility in the Indian Ocean. The U.S. has previously expressed strong opposition to the U.K.'s plan to cede sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius, citing the critical national security importance of Diego Garcia.
Syllabus mapping
Prelims takeaways
- The Chagos Islands are located in the Indian Ocean.
- Diego Garcia is an atoll within the Chagos Islands and hosts a crucial U.S.-U.K. military facility.
- The sovereignty of the Chagos Islands has been a long-standing dispute between the U.K. and Mauritius.
- The U.S. considers Diego Garcia to be of significant strategic importance for its national security.
- The Chagos Islands are part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
Elimination traps
- Confusing the current sovereign (U.K.) with the claimant (Mauritius) or the potential buyer (U.S.).
- Assuming the U.S. is a direct claimant to the islands, rather than a strategic partner and potential buyer.
- Mistaking the reported 'plan' as a finalized deal.
Static concepts
- Sovereignty
- Military installation
- Geopolitical strategy
- Territorial dispute
Probable question areas
Question areas
- Geographical location of Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia.
Question areas
- Countries involved in the Chagos Islands sovereignty dispute.
Question areas
- Strategic importance of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean region.
Question areas
- Historical context of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
UPSC concepts in this story
Durable syllabus ideas for revision — not article memory.
Chagos Islands Sovereignty Dispute and Decolonization
The Chagos Islands dispute is a post-colonial sovereignty conflict between Mauritius and the UK, complicated by the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia and in...
Previous year Prelims questions on overlapping themes and topics.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue which Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?
Explanation
Correct answer
B. China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea
Senkaku Islands are a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea. Japan and China claim the uninhabited islands, known as the Senkaku in Japan and Tiaoyu in China, as their own, but Japan has administered them since 1972.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to:
Explanation
Correct answer
B. Middle East
The correct answer is the Middle East. The Golan Heights is a hilly, 1,200 sq-km rocky plateau in south-western Syria in the Middle East region overlooking Lebanon, Syria, and the Jordan Valley. The Golan was Syrian territory until 1967 when Israel occupied it in the closing stages of the Six-Day War.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Consider the following pairs:
Country - Important reason for being in the news recently
1. Chad – Setting up of permanent military base by China.
2. Guinea – Suspension of Constitution and Government by military
3. Lebanon – Severe and prolonged economic depression
4. Tunisia – Suspension of Parliament by President
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Explanation
Correct answer
C. Only three pairs
Pair 1 is incorrectly matched. China has not established any permanent military base in Chad. Pair 2 is correctly matched. Guinean special forces staged a coup, captured President Alpha Conde, replaced governors with the military, and dissolved the constitution and National Assembly. Pair 3 is correctly matched. Lebanon has been experiencing a severe and prolonged economic depression since 2019, driven by political instability, inadequate reforms, and systemic corruption. The economic crisis has affected approximately 74% of the population. Pair 4 is correctly matched. Tunisian President Kais Saied dissolved the suspended parliament after lawmakers held an online meeting and voted to repeal presidential decrees. He called it a failed coup attempt.
Current Affairs
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
External Sector & Capital Flows
In the recent years Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan caught the international attention for which one of the following reasons common to all of them?
Explanation
Correct answer
D. Successful coups
* Successful Coups There have been several military coups in these countries in recent years - Chad (2021) - Guinea (2021) - Mali (2020, 2021) - Sudan (2019) * Military coups often lead to political instability, international concern about human rights, and potential disruption to trade and regional security.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS):
1. The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS.
2. The IAFS mechanism was instituted under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct answer
A. 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: The Third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) was hosted in New Delhi in October 2015. The first and second summits were held in 2008 (New Delhi) and 2011 (Addis Ababa), respectively, making the 2015 event the third edition. Statement 2 is incorrect: The India-Africa Forum Summit was institutionalized in 2008 to serve as the official platform for African-Indian relations. While Jawaharlal Nehru was a pioneer of Afro-Asian solidarity (e.g., the Asian Relations Conference of 1947), the IAFS is a distinct 21st-century initiative and was not established in 1951.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect
Explanation
Correct answer
A. India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran
The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multimodal transport network aimed at boosting trade between India, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe, using a combination of sea, rail, and road routes via Iran. The corridor connects Mumbai → Bandar Abbas (Iran) → Azerbaijan → Russia → Europe, with access to Central Asia.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -
Explanation
Correct answer
B. Israel
The Two-State Solution is used in the context of the Israel-Palestine issue. It envisages an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel west of the Jordan River.
International Relations
Current Affairs
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Explanation
Correct answer
D. 1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is correct. The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations, and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Statement 2 is correct. The General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly. Statement 3 is correct. Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -
Explanation
Correct answer
D. China
China-Led Initiative BRI is a global development strategy spearheaded by the Chinese government. It aims to create a network of trade routes connecting China with other countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa through investments in infrastructure development. Hence, option D is the correct answer.
International Relations
Current Affairs
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?
Explanation
Correct answer
A. Iran
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, originally (and still colloquially) known as the Gulf Cooperation Council, is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf except Iran. Its member states are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Charter of the Gulf Cooperation Council was signed on 25 May 1981, formally establishing the institution. Hence, option A is the correct answer.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Previous year Mains questions mapped to overlapping GS syllabus topics.
"The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance." Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard.
Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving India
Important International institutions, agencies and fora
View Mains PYQ
"Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India's foreign policy, and is linked with India's overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries." How would you integrate energy security with India's foreign policy trajectories in the coming years?
Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving India
Important International institutions, agencies and fora
View Mains PYQ
Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.
Modern Indian history (mid-18th century to present)
View Mains PYQ
"With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism." Elucidate.
Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving India
Important International institutions, agencies and fora
View Mains PYQ
India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate.
Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving India
View Mains PYQ
The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life. Elucidate.
Indian culture — Art Forms, literature and Architecture
View Mains PYQ