The Alaska Summit (August 2025) highlighted internal divisions within U.S. foreign policy, where Donald Trump’s anti-interventionist stance clashed with the entrenched “permanent Washington”.

Trump’s Mandate and Limits

• Electoral Promise: Trump campaigned in 2024 on ending the Ukraine war immediately, reflecting 66% of American support for a negotiated settlement.
• Constraints on Action: Despite a clear mandate, his ability to deliver peace was restricted by institutional resistance and entrenched foreign policy lobbies.
• Alaska Summit Outcome: Optics of statesmanship were achieved, but concessions to Russia were withheld, prolonging the conflict.

America-First versus Permanent Washington

• Anti-Interventionist Position: Trump, Vice-President J.D. Vance, and leaders like Vivek Ramaswamy advocate curtailing U.S. military interventions and focusing on domestic priorities.
• Permanent Washington Interests: A coalition of neo-con politicians, bureaucrats, and commercial lobbies sustain military action and global hegemony.
• Internal Contest:S. foreign policy is shaped less by external adversaries than by internal power struggles between elected leaders and entrenched establishments.

Implications for Global Security

• Ukraine Conflict Stalemate: Continued U.S. military support prolongs hostilities despite public demand for peace and reduced interventionism.
• Risk of Escalation: The Ukraine war brings the world closer to nuclear confrontation, making domestic U.S. policy battles critical for global peace.
• Future Geopolitics: America’s internal contest will influence responses to rising powers like India, China, and Russia more than bilateral negotiations.

Practice Question:

“The Ukraine conflict underscores that U.S. foreign policy is increasingly shaped by domestic political contests rather than international negotiations. Critically examine.”  (250 words)

India’s Q1 FY 2025-26 GDP growth of 7.8% alongside S&P’s sovereign rating upgrade highlights the nation’s resilience and reform-driven momentum.

Growth and Stability

• Broad-Based Growth: Real GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 FY 2025-26, with manufacturing (7.7%), construction (7.6%), and services (9.3%) contributing significantly.
• Global Standing: India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy and fastest-growing major one, contributing over 15% to global incremental growth.
• Market Recognition: S&P Global upgraded India’s sovereign rating after 18 years, citing robust growth, fiscal consolidation, and monetary credibility.

Poverty Reduction and Energy Security

• Poverty Alleviation: Between 2013-14 and 2022-23, nearly 24.82 crore people exited multidimensional poverty through targeted welfare and digital delivery systems.
• Energy Expansion: India is the third-largest energy consumer, with refining capacity of 5.2 million barrels/day and ambitious targets for 2030.
• Energy Transition: Ethanol blending rose from 1.5% in 2014 to 20% in 2025, saving ?1.25 lakh crore in forex and directly benefiting farmers.

Technology and Future Trajectory

• Industrial Transformation: Semiconductor and electronics investments under PLI schemes are building resilient, trusted supply chains with Japanese cooperation.
• Digital Momentum: India leads globally in real-time payments, with UPI driving productivity, formalisation, and innovation-led exports.
• Long-Term Outlook: Projections suggest India could become the world’s second-largest economy in PPP terms by 2038 with GDP above $34 trillion.

“India’s economic resilience is shaped by a synergy of reforms, energy security, and digital transformation. Discuss with reference to recent growth trends and future challenges.”   (250 words)

India’s heavy dependence on imported crude oil and gas amid global supply shocks has renewed focus on building an energy sovereignty doctrine.

India’s Import Dependence and Risks

• Crude Vulnerability: India imports over 85% of its crude oil and 50% of its natural gas, exposing its economy to global disruptions.
• Russian Factor: Russia has become India’s largest oil supplier (35%-40% in 2024-25), but overreliance on one partner increases strategic risk.
• Macroeconomic Strain: Crude and gas accounted for $170 billion of imports in FY2023-24, pressuring the rupee, widening trade deficit, and reducing economic stability.

Lessons from Global Energy Shocks

• Historical Flashpoints: Events like the 1973 Oil Embargo, 2011 Fukushima disaster, and 2021 Texas Freeze reshaped energy strategies worldwide.
• Geopolitical Disruptions: The 2022 Russia-Ukraine war and Europe’s energy crisis showed the dangers of single-source dependence.
• Recent Blackout Risk: The 2025 Iberian Peninsula grid collapse highlighted the perils of over-reliance on renewables without backup systems.

India’s Path to Energy Sovereignty

• Domestic Unlocking: Coal gasification, carbon capture, and nuclear revival can strengthen indigenous energy capacity.
• Sustainable Transition: Biofuels, ethanol blending, and green hydrogen create rural empowerment, foreign exchange savings, and clean fuel security.
• Resilient Backbone: Pumped hydro storage and diversified sourcing strategies ensure grid stability and protection against global oil shocks.

Practice Question:

“India’s energy policy must move from import dependence to energy sovereignty. Critically examine the challenges and opportunities of this transition in light of global energy disruptions.”    (250 words)