What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

They may ask about India's 'strategic autonomy' and confuse its new meaning (working with others without surrendering judgment) with its old meaning (maintaining distance from major powers). Another trap is conflating the China challenge as only a boundary dispute, ignoring its dimensions in South Asia and multilateral forums.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Concept: 'India as a balancing power in Asia' (Core book thesis) 2. Target this Author: C Raja Mohan (Prominent strategic thinker) 3. Target this Gap: India's strategic ambition vs. its economic weight in Asia

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C Raja Mohan's Book 'India and the Rebalancing of Asia' Advocates India as a 'Balancing Power' in Asia Amid US-China Rivalry

Q: The reviewer of the book 'India and the Rebalancing of Asia' is identified as a former representative of India to which international organization?

United Nations, The article's byline identifies the writer as the 'former permanent representative of India to the United Nations'. This is a static fact about the reviewer's position.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the arguments presented in C Raja Mohan's book 'India and the Rebalancing of Asia': 1. It argues that India's current strategic turn is a recent development with no historical precedent. 2. It posits that the challenge from China is confined only to the disputed boundary between the two nations. 3. It presents closer cooperation with the United States as a pragmatic alignment to prevent Chinese dominance in Asia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 3, Statement 1 is incorrect as the book argues the turn is a 'long correction' of historical retreat. Statement 2 is incorrect as the book shows China's challenge extends to South Asia and multilateral institutions. Statement 3 is correct as explicitly mentioned in the article.

Q: According to the review, what is the primary conceptual contribution of C Raja Mohan's book 'India and the Rebalancing of Asia' to India's strategic discourse?

Framing India as a balancing power in a contested Asia, The article states the book's 'deeper conceptual contribution is to present India as a balancing power in a contested Asia'. The other options are either opposite to or distortions of the book's arguments.

Q: As per the article's critique, which significant region does the book 'India and the Rebalancing of Asia' keep outside its central argument, despite its importance for India?

West Asia (The Gulf), The article explicitly states: 'Raja Mohan keeps West Asia outside the book’s central argument' and notes that for India, 'the Gulf is not peripheral' due to energy, diaspora, and security interests.

Intl. Relations Security & Defence PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCPrelims MediumMains HighStatic GK Link

18 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.C Raja Mohan's book argues India must transition from a hesitant spectator to a 'balancing power' in Asia, shaped by China's rise and the US response.

2.The book critiques India's historical retreat from power politics post-Partition and its romanticism on China, highlighting challenges beyond the border.

3.It presents closer US ties as a pragmatic alignment for preventing Chinese dominance, while managing tensions with Russia and economic limitations.

The Big Picture

Prelims · MediumMains · High

This analytical review of C Raja Mohan's book provides a crucial framework for understanding India's strategic shift from non-alignment to becoming a 'balancing power' in Asia. It is essential for GS Paper II (International Relations) and GS Paper III (Security), focusing on India's recalibrated approach towards China, the US, and its neighbourhood.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Book TitleIndia and the Rebalancing of Asia

AuthorC Raja Mohan

Core ArgumentIndia as a 'balancing power'

ReviewerFormer Permanent Representative of India to the UN

1-Minute Revision

›Book Title: India and the Rebalancing of Asia
›Author: C Raja Mohan
›Target this Concept: 'India as a balancing power in Asia' (Core book thesis)
›Target this Author: C Raja Mohan (Prominent strategic thinker)
›Target this Gap: India's strategic ambition vs. its economic weight in Asia

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News Snapshot

⚖️

Balancing Power

The book's central thesis redefines India's role in Asia as an active balancer between US and Chinese influence, moving beyond non-alignment.

🇨🇳

China Challenge

It argues India's challenge from China extends beyond the disputed boundary to South Asia, the Indian Ocean, and multilateral institutions.

🤝

US Alignment

Closer US cooperation is framed as a pragmatic force multiplier to prevent Chinese dominance, not a surrender of Indian autonomy.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The book is placed within India's long strategic retreat post-Partition, driven by non-alignment, suspicion of the West, and chronic underestimation of China. Raja Mohan views India's current strategic turn as a correction of this decades-long narrowing of strategic vision.

Core Analysis & Implications

The analysis posits that Asia's reordering necessitates India becoming a central part of the regional balance. It highlights the multifaceted China challenge, the need to earn primacy in a difficult neighbourhood, and the pragmatic yet tense nature of the US partnership as a force multiplier. A key gap identified is India's thin economic architecture relative to its strategic ambitions.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

For India to become a 'power of Asia', it must build stronger capabilities, deepen economic foundations, and manage its neighbourhood with greater tact. The final question challenges India to move beyond being a power 'in' Asia to a power 'of' Asia, requiring sustained state capacity and diplomatic bandwidth.

Critical Omissions & Limitations

The review notes the book's narrow focus excludes West Asia (the Gulf), a critical part of India's strategic map due to energy, diaspora, and security interests. It also highlights the unresolved tension of working with a volatile US while balancing an assertive China without returning to old evasions.

Key Facts at a Glance

Book TitleIndia and the Rebalancing of Asia

AuthorC Raja Mohan

Core ArgumentIndia as a 'balancing power'

ReviewerFormer Permanent Representative of India to the UN

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC

The reviewer of the book 'India and the Rebalancing of Asia' is identified as a former representative of India to which international organization?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the arguments presented in C Raja Mohan's book 'India and the Rebalancing of Asia':

1. It argues that India's current strategic turn is a recent development with no historical precedent.

2. It posits that the challenge from China is confined only to the disputed boundary between the two nations.

3. It presents closer cooperation with the United States as a pragmatic alignment to prevent Chinese dominance in Asia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

According to the review, what is the primary conceptual contribution of C Raja Mohan's book 'India and the Rebalancing of Asia' to India's strategic discourse?

Q4Data-centricMediumUPSC

As per the article's critique, which significant region does the book 'India and the Rebalancing of Asia' keep outside its central argument, despite its importance for India?

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C Raja Mohan's Book 'India and the Rebalancing of Asia' Advocates India as a 'Balancing Power' in Asia Amid US-China Rivalry

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Balancing Power

China Challenge

US Alignment

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Critical Omissions & Limitations

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance