TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 184

PRERNA FOR IAS

(ASSOCIATE OF SAMKALP)

TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 184

1. How should India respond to U.S. sanctions pressure over its purchase of Russian oil?

Answer: India should protect its energy security while maintaining constructive relations with the United States. The new U.S. law gives the President authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas; Reuters confirms that the law grants broad tariff powers, though its application involves executive discretion. Reuters The supplied summary notes India's high dependence on imported crude and the difficulty of rapid substitution during West Asian disruptions. INDIAN EXPRESS DATED 25 SEP , -… India should therefore diversify suppliers, strengthen strategic reserves, accelerate renewable energy and negotiate diplomatically. Strategic autonomy should mean having multiple options, not dependence on any single supplier or partner.

2. What does the Xi-Trump summit tell us about the changing nature of U.S.-China relations?

Answer: U.S.-China relations are increasingly a combination of competition and selective cooperation. The two countries compete over trade, artificial intelligence, advanced technologies and security issues, but their economic interdependence gives both an incentive to prevent uncontrolled escalation. The 24 September summit addressed AI, trade and security, while major differences remained. AP News The supplied Hindu summary describes this as managed strategic competition. THE HINDU - 325 - (25,09,2026) For India, this creates both risks and opportunities. India should strengthen manufacturing and technological capability while maintaining independent relationships with both powers. Competition among great powers need not automatically become confrontation.