TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 179

PRERNA FOR IAS

(ASSOCIATE OF SAMKALP)

TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 179

1. The U.S. has increased pressure on countries buying Russian energy. How should India balance its relations with the U.S. and its energy partnership with Russia?

Answer: India should avoid seeing this as a choice between the U.S. and Russia. Our primary consideration should be India's national interest and energy security. India imports more than 88% of its crude requirement, so sudden disruption of a major source can increase inflation and affect economic growth. At the same time, the U.S. is an important strategic, technological and trade partner. Therefore, India should use diplomacy to manage differences while steadily diversifying oil suppliers, expanding renewables and nuclear energy, improving efficiency and strengthening strategic petroleum reserves. In my view, strategic autonomy becomes meaningful when India has enough alternatives to withstand external pressure.

2. Is the growing importance of Greenland evidence that climate change is transforming geopolitics?