UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on Cancer Moonshot Initiative, EFTA and more (Week 77)

1. It is a US-led initiative aiming to strengthen cooperation among members to secure supply chains for critical minerals.

2. India has withdrawn its membership from the MSP Finance Network.

3. The African Union (AU) is the only union which is part of the MSP network.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— India is now formally a part of the Minerals Security Finance Network, a US-led initiative aiming to strengthen cooperation among members to secure supply chains for critical minerals. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.

— The statement, issued by the US State Department on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, concerned a treaty signed by 14 countries and the European Union. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— The Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN) is a new initiative that emerged from the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a framework established by the United States in 2022. India was included in the MSP in June 2023.

— India’s inclusion was especially significant because one of the core components of New Delhi’s economic strategy is an ambitious change in the mobility area, involving the conversion of a large portion of public and private transportation to electric vehicles.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Which of the following Southeast Asian countries is facing challenges from European renewable energy investors?

(a) Brunei

(b) Vietnam

(c) Philippines

(d) Malaysia

Explanation

— Vietnam’s ambitious renewable energy goals have been facing mounting challenges, from inadequate infrastructure to regulatory hurdles, prompting major European investors to rethink their plans.

— Italian energy conglomerate Enel, one of the world’s largest investors in renewable energy, is reportedly planning to withdraw from Vietnam, according to Reuters, following in the footsteps of Norway’s Equinor and Denmark’s Orsted. These firms have recently cancelled renewable energy projects in the Southeast Asian country.

— Enel had big intentions for Vietnam’s energy market. The corporation declared in 2022 that it would invest in renewable energy projects of up to 6 gigawatts (GW).

— Currently, Vietnam’s installed electrical capacity is over 80 GW, which the government intends to nearly quadruple by 2030. Wind, solar, and other renewables (excluding hydropower) are predicted to account for at least 31% of the country’s energy mix by the end of the decade.

— A key impediment to Vietnam’s renewable energy potential is the lack of a proper framework for offshore wind development. According to industry analysts, delays in developing standards for project approvals, marine area allocations, and pricing procedures have frustrated investors.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

India is set to launch its inaugural national security semiconductor fabrication plant in collaboration with:

(a) Singapore

(b) United States

(c) Italy

(d) South Korea

Explanation

— Under a transformative collaboration with the United States, India is preparing to open its first national security semiconductor production factory, which will generate chips for military purposes and vital telecommunications.

— In a shared fact sheet, the leaders referred to the semiconductor fabrication partnership as a “watershed arrangement.” The India Semiconductor Mission will assist this endeavour, which involves a strategic technology relationship between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the United States Space Force.

— It represents a significant step, comparable to the civil nuclear agreement, as it is the first time the US military has engaged in a partnership for high-value technologies with India.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Which of the following countries is/are the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)?

1. Iceland

2. Liechtenstein

3. Switzerland

4. England

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— India signed a trade agreement with the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

— EFTA is an intergovernmental grouping of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

— The deal brings in $100 billion in investment over 15 years, with the EFTA looking at joint ventures that will help India diversify imports away from China.

— India could see investment flow into the pharma, chemical sectors, food processing and engineering sectors.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

The ‘Cancer Moonshot Initiative’ is the outcome of:

(a) World Health Organisation

(b) Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

(c) BRICS

(d) QUAD

Explanation

— The Quad grouping took a groundbreaking cancer initiative globally known as the Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative.

— The countries — India, United States, Australia and Japan — launched the programme that will focus on expanding cervical cancer screening; increasing vaccinations against the human papillomavirus, or HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection that is the primary cause of cervical cancer; and treating patients.

— The Initiative will begin with addressing cases of cervical cancer, which, according to a White House statement, is “a largely preventable disease that continues to be a major health crisis in the Indo-Pacific region,” while also laying the basis for other types of cancer.

— According to a Ministry of External Affairs announcement, PM Modi has dedicated a “grant of US $7.5 million to cancer testing, screening, and diagnostics in the Indo-Pacific region” as India’s contribution to the project.

— According to the MEA release, India has also declared that India will fund radiation treatment and cancer prevention capacity building across the Indo-Pacific region.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 77)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 77)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 76)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 77)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 76)

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