Banner for the India and the Wider World module of UPSC GS2GS2 · Module 22 of 22

India and the Wider World – UPSC GS2

This module of the GS Paper 2: Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR course covers west asia, central asia, africa, latin america, the diaspora and global institutions. It has 5 study lessons and a 40-question practice quiz. Free lessons can be read in full; premium lessons show a preview.

Lessons in this module

1. India and West Asia: Gulf, Iran and Israel

Free 7 min

West Asia (the Middle East) is India's "extended neighbourhood". India's interests there fall into five groups. Energy: the Gulf supplies a large share of India's crude oil and LNG. Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE…

2. India, Central Asia and Eurasian Groupings: SCO and BRICS

Premium 7 min

The five Central Asian Republics are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. They became independent when the USSR broke up in 1991. India's links with the region go back a long way: Silk Road trade,…

3. India, Africa and Latin America: Partnerships with the Global South

Premium 7 min

"Global South" refers broadly to the developing countries of Africa, Latin America, Asia and Oceania. India sees itself as a voice of the Global South, a role that draws on its leadership of the Non-Aligned…

4. Important International Institutions: UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank and G20

Premium 8 min

GS2 lists "important international institutions, agencies and fora: their structure and mandate". For Prelims you need facts: headquarters, membership, founding years and main functions. For Mains you need analysis: reform debates, India's role and the…

5. Indian Diaspora and the Effect of Other Countries' Policies on India's Interests

Premium 7 min

India has the world's largest diaspora. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, there are about 3.5 crore (35 million) overseas Indians. They fall into two groups: Non-Resident Indians (NRIs): Indian citizens living abroad. Persons…

 Module quiz: India and the Wider World (40 questions)

Maps & infographics in this module

Map of West Asia showing GCC countries, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Egypt and Jordan with Chabahar, Duqm, the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb marked
India relates to the Gulf monarchies, Iran and Israel on separate tracks (de-hyphenation).
Flowchart of the IMEC route from India by sea to the UAE, by rail across Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Haifa, and by sea to Europe
IMEC also envisages electricity, data and hydrogen links along the route.
Timeline of Indian evacuation operations from Kuwait 1990 to Operation Sindhu 2025
Protecting the diaspora is a core objective of India's West Asia policy.
Map of the five Central Asian republics with Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, showing a route from India by sea to Chabahar and north to Ashgabat
With no direct land access, India reaches Central Asia through Iran. Arrows are schematic.
Table comparing the SCO and BRICS by origin, India's membership, institutions, focus, recent members and Indian chairmanships
India uses both forums to stay engaged with Russia and the Global South while guarding its interests against China.
Map of Africa highlighting oil suppliers Nigeria and Angola, East African partners, BRICS members, UN peacekeeping countries, and marking Addis Ababa, Kampala and Zanzibar
India's ties span energy, diaspora, peacekeeping and education across the continent.

Frequently asked questions

Lessons: India and West Asia: Gulf, Iran and Israel; India, Central Asia and Eurasian Groupings: SCO and BRICS; India, Africa and Latin America: Partnerships with the Global South; Important International Institutions: UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank and G20; Indian Diaspora and the Effect of Other Countries' Policies on India's Interests.

Answer: 1992. January 1992.

Answer: 2022. May 2022.

Answer: Duqm. Duqm.

Answer: UAE. UAE.

Related modules

Polity and the Constitution4 lessons
Constitution Making and Basic Features5 lessons
Fundamental Rights5 lessons
DPSP and Fundamental Duties2 lessons
Union Executive4 lessons
Parliament3 lessons
Judiciary4 lessons
Federalism and Centre–State Relations5 lessons
State Government2 lessons
Local Government3 lessons
Constitutional Bodies and Elections4 lessons
Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial Bodies3 lessons
Amendments and Basic Structure2 lessons
Governance2 lessons
Governance in Practice4 lessons
Social Justice2 lessons
Welfare of Vulnerable Sections3 lessons
Health, Education and Hunger3 lessons
International Relations2 lessons
India and its Neighbourhood5 lessons
India and the Major Powers4 lessons

Back to the GS Paper 2: Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR course.

Join to unlock every lesson, revision note and mock test

Structured GS1–GS4, CSAT and Essay courses with maps, infographics, module quizzes and full-length mocks.

Create a free account See plans