India, Maldives and Afghanistan
Why this triad matters for UPSC
The Indian Ocean littoral is a crucible of strategic competition, trade routes, and climate‑driven challenges. India, the Maldives and Afghanistan—though disparate in size and political systems—share intertwined security, economic and diplomatic threads that shape India’s neighbourhood policy, its maritime posture, and its role in regional groupings such as SAARC, BIMSTEC and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Mastery of these linkages is essential for answering both Pre‑lims (GS‑II geography, international relations, current affairs) and Mains (GS‑III – foreign policy, security, environment; Essay & Optional subjects).
Constitutional / legal foundation
- India: External affairs are anchored in Article 2, 3 and 51(a) of the Constitution, empowering the Union to negotiate treaties and pursue a “principled” foreign policy. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) operationalise this mandate.
- Maldives & Afghanistan: Their own constitutions (Maldives 2008, Afghanistan 2004/2022) grant the President/Executive the power to conclude international agreements, which India respects and builds upon through bilateral treaties (e.g., India‑Maldives Maritime Cooperation Agreement, India‑Afghanistan Treaty of Friendship).
Sub‑topics covered in this chapter
- Geopolitical significance of the Indian Ocean – sea‑lines of communication, chokepoints (e.g., Strait of Malacca, Lakshadweep‑Maldives corridor).
- Historical and cultural linkages – ancient trade, diaspora, linguistic & religious ties.
- India‑Maldives relationship
- Security cooperation (e.g., 2020 “Strategic Partnership”, naval exercises).
- Economic engagement – tourism, fisheries, renewable energy projects.
- Diplomatic nuances – political instability in Malé, China’s growing footprint.
- India‑Afghanistan relationship
- Legacy of the 1950 Treaty of Friendship, development assistance, and the “Afghan‑India Strategic Partnership”.
- Post‑2021 realities – evacuation, humanitarian aid, counter‑terrorism.
- Regional organisations and multilateral frameworks – SAARC’s stagnation, BIMSTEC’s revival, IORA, and the “Neighbourhood First” & “Act‑East” policies.
- Security challenges – maritime terrorism, piracy, radicalisation, climate‑induced migration, and the strategic contest with China (e.g., Belt‑and‑Road Initiative, “String of Pearls”).
- Economic & developmental dimensions – trade volumes, investment in tourism & infrastructure, fisheries agreements, and climate‑resilience projects (e.g., Maldives’ solar‑energy push, Afghanistan’s reconstruction).
- Recent developments (2022‑2026) – Maldives’ 2023 “India‑Maldives Maritime Cooperation Agreement”, Afghanistan’s 2024 humanitarian corridor, and India’s 2025 “Blue‑Economy” outreach to island nations.
Exam relevance
| Exam | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Pre‑lims (GS‑II) | Map‑based questions (Indian Ocean, Maldives & Afghanistan locations), current‑affairs (e.g., India‑Maldives security pact, Afghanistan evacuation), and basic facts on bilateral treaties. |
| Mains (GS‑III) | Essays on “Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean”, “Neighbourhood First vs. Great‑Power Competition”, and answers on foreign policy, security, climate change, and regional cooperation. |
| Optional (International Relations / Geography) | Case‑studies on small‑state diplomacy, strategic depth, and the impact of climate change on island nations. |
Understanding the dynamics among India, the Maldives and Afghanistan equips aspirants to analyse India’s strategic calculus in a volatile neighbourhood, evaluate policy choices, and craft nuanced answers that reflect both constitutional imperatives and real‑world complexities.
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