UPSC Essentials: Daily subject-wise quiz — International Relations (Week 2)

Each day, we will cover one new subject. Attempt today’s subject quiz on International Relations to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the MCQs on Polity and Governance. Don’t miss checking the answers and explanations at the end of the quiz.

QUESTION 1

Which of the following nations has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India for water sharing of Kushiyara River?

(a) Nepal

(b) Bangladesh

(c) Pakistan

(d) Myanmar

QUESTION 2

Katchatheevu island was in the news recently. Where is it located?

(a) East of Andman and Nicobar Islands 

(b) West of Lakshadweep Islands

(c) At Palk Strait

(d) South of Sagar Island

QUESTION 3

The term “Porcupine Doctrine” is often heard in the news. It is related to:

(a) Taiwan

(b) Malaysia

(c) Mongolia

(d) Japan

QUESTION 4

Consider the following pairs:

1. West Seti Dam – China

2. Tran Quoc Pagoda – Vietnam

3. Kartarpur – Pakistan

4. Wat Rong-Khun – Cambodia

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) Only three pairs

(d) All four pairs

QUESTION 5

Which of the following nation(s) is/are not a part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)?

1. Jordan

2. United Arab Emirates

3. Lebanon

4. Kuwait

5. Afghanistan

Select the correct answer using the codes given below – 

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 3 and 5 only

QUESTION 6

Nagorno-Karabakh Region is a disputed territory between:

(a) Armenia and Azerbaijan

(b) Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan

(c) Turkmenistan and Armenia 

(d) Kazakhstan and Armenia

QUESTION 7

With reference to the Chabahar Port, consider the following statements: 

1) The port is situated in the gulf of Oman.

2) It is the only deep sea port in Afghanistan with direct ocean access.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

QUESTION 8

Consider the following statements about 2+2 dialogue:

1. It is a format of meeting of the foreign and defence ministers of India and its allies on strategic and security issues.

2. India has 2+2 dialogues with the United States and Australia only.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWERS TO MCQs

1. (b)

FYI:

— India and Bangladesh have finalised the text of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on interim water sharing of Kushiyara river.

—  The Kushiyara River is a distributary river which forms on the India-Bangladesh border as a branch of the Barak River. It originates in the uplands of Assam and is joined by various tributaries in Nagaland and Manipur.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

2. (c)

FYI:

— Katchatheevu island is an uninhabited island in the Palk Strait northeast of Rameswaram, 33 km from the Indian coast, but within the maritime boundaries of Sri Lanka.

— The island was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption. It was controlled by the Ramnad zamindari centred in Ramanathapuram, and became part of the Madras Presidency during the Raj.

— In 1974, an agreement was signed and the island was ceded to Sri Lanka.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

3. (a)

FYI:

—  The “porcupine doctrine” is a strategy of asymmetric warfare focused on fortifying a weak state’s defences to exploit the enemy’s weaknesses rather than taking on its strengths.

—  Taiwan has initiated the Porcupine strategy and the objective of this doctrine is that of surviving and assimilating an aerial offence to organise a wall of fire that will prevent the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from successfully invading.

— It consists of three different defensive layers, the outer layer is about intelligence and reconnaissance to ensure defence forces are fully prepared, guerrilla warfare at sea with aerial support from sophisticated aircraft provided by the US, the innermost layer relies on the geography and demography of the island.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

4. (b)

FYI:

Place	Country	Remarks
West Seti Dam	Nepal	It is a hydropower project in Nepal.
Tran Quoc Pagoda	Vietnam	It is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi located on a small peninsula on the east side of Hanoi West Lake.
Kartarpur	Pakistan	It is located at the west bank of river Ravi in Pakistan where Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent the last 18 years of his life.
Wat Rong-Khun	Thailand	It is a buddhist temple located in Thailand.

 

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

5. (d)

FYI:

— The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was established by an agreement concluded on May 25, 1981 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

—  The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) includes UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.

—  The GCC’s substantial oil and gas reserves are of utmost importance for India’s energy needs.

—  The council together account for one-fifth of the world’s Muslim population, and are among the strongest voices of the Muslim world. The official language is Arabic.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

6. (a)

FYI:

— Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous and heavily forested region that under international law is recognised as part of Azerbaijan. It is a disputed territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

—  The clashes between Republic of Armenia and Azerbaijan forces in the Nagorno-Karabakh Region sparked a six-week military conflict, triggering widespread population displacement and resulting in the deaths of approximately 150 civilians in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

—  Ethnic Armenians constitute the vast majority of the population and these ethnic Armenians have been in administrative control of Nagorno-Karabakh, with support from Armenia.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

7. (a)

FYI:

— The port is located in the Sistan-Baluchistan province in Iran’s southern coast in the gulf of Oman just 72 kilometres west of Pakistan’s Gwadar port. 

— The Chabahar port is being developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan to boost trade ties. It holds immense strategic and economic significance for India. 

— The port will improve the logistics network of the Central Asia and promote joint initiative to create a regional transnational transport corridor which will boost not only India’s trade but global trade

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

 

8. (a)

FYI:

— It is a format of meeting of the foreign and defence ministers of India and its allies on strategic and security issues.

— 2+2 ministerial dialogue enables the partners to better understand and appreciate each other’s strategic concerns and sensitivities taking into account political factors on both sides, in order to build a stronger, more integrated strategic relationship in a rapidly changing global environment.

— India has 2+2 dialogues with four key strategic partners: the US, Australia, Japan, and Russia. Besides Russia, the other three countries are also India’s partners in the Quad. The US is India’s oldest and most important 2+2 talks partner.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Quizzes:

Polity and Governance,

History, Culture, and Social Issues

UPSC Weekly Quiz (Current Affairs)

Environment, Geography, Science and Technology

Tomorrow’s Quiz: Polity and Governance

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