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Medium Factual Recall

Indian Diplomatic Soft Power

Decode Indian Diplomatic Soft Power through logical deduction.

Official Question UPSC 2026

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
List I (Project Supported by India)List II (Country)
A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project1. Maldives
B. Restoration of Stor Palace2. Afghanistan
C. District Hospital at Dickoya3. Bhutan
D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies4. Sri Lanka

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B
Based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Development Partnership Administration archives, India projects its 'Neighborhood First' policy through massive infrastructure grants:
•Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project: A massive 720 MW run-of-river power plant situated on the Mangdechhu River in Bhutan. It was inaugurated jointly in 2019 as a hallmark of Indo-Bhutanese energy cooperation. (A matches 3)
•Restoration of Stor Palace: A historic 19th-century palace (Qasr-e-Storay) located in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Government of India funded its complete restoration, partnering with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. (B matches 2)
•District Hospital at Dickoya: A multi-specialty hospital built with Indian grant assistance in Hatton, Sri Lanka, strategically located to serve the healthcare needs of Indian-origin Tamil estate workers in the Central Province. (C matches 4)
•Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies: Located in Addu City, Maldives (now known as the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement). It was entirely funded by Indian grants under a bilateral security MoU. (D matches 1)
Final Matching Code: A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1. Option B is correct.

Quick Recall

Under its 'Neighborhood First' policy, India provides significant developmental assistance. Key projects include the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan, the Stor Palace restoration in Afghanistan, a District Hospital in Dickoya, Sri Lanka, and the Police Academy in the Maldives.

Concept Flow Mapping

Mangdechhu Project
Located In
Bhutan
Stor Palace
Located In
Afghanistan
Dickoya Hospital
Located In
Sri Lanka

Concept Question

In which country did India fund the construction of the District Hospital at Dickoya to serve Indian-origin estate workers?

Key Takeaway

Sri Lanka.

Examiner's Trap

The examiner relies on candidates confusing similar South Asian nations. The key is isolating distinct geopolitical contexts: hydropower is historically tied to Bhutan, while historical restorations (post-conflict) are strongly tied to Afghanistan.

Core Insight

Hydroelectric investments in Bhutan are highly synergistic: they provide Bhutan with its primary source of export revenue while guaranteeing India a stable, clean, and renewable cross-border energy supply.

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