UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on India-Bangladesh relations, Island of Evia, IMEC and more (Week 69)

1. Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link

2. Khulna-Mongla port rail line

3. Maitree super thermal power plant

4. MoU on Blue Economy and Maritime Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal

5. Jaynagar–Janakpur–Bardibas railway line

How many of the aforementioned infrastructure projects have India and Bangladesh agreed to collaborate on?

(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only

(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

— The economic link between India and Bangladesh has developed, with bilateral commerce expected to reach $15.9 billion in 2023, including a variety of sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and more.

— The new MoUs strengthen cooperation, with the Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Digital Partnership, in particular, projected to increase collaboration in emerging technologies and digital economy.

— Infrastructure projects that improve Indo-Bangla connectivity and trade facilitation include the Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link, which connects India’s northeast to Bangladesh, and the Khulna-Mongla port train route.

— India has begun supplying power to Bangladesh, with shipments reaching 1,160 MW by 2023. The Maitree super thermal power plant, a joint venture with its recently installed Unit II, exemplifies teamwork in vital infrastructure.

— The Shared Vision of the India-Bangladesh Green Partnership for a Sustainable Future will deepen existing collaboration in renewable energy and environmental sustainability.

— The Memorandum of Understanding on Blue Economy and marine Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Regions would foster collaboration in marine resources and ocean-based sectors.

— Jaynagar–Janakpur–Bardibas railway line is a part of the India-Nepal railway line.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Which of the following countries is going through protests against the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation?

(a) South Africa

(b) Ghana

(c) Egypt

(d) Nigeria

Explanation

— Thousands of primarily young people took to the streets across Nigeria on Thursday to protest the country’s biggest cost-of-living problem in a generation. Security personnel used tear gas to disperse protesters in various locations.

— In Abuja, where a court issued an injunction late Wednesday to limit the protest to a stadium, Nigerian police officers were spotted shooting tear gas to disperse a gathering of protestors assembled a few kilometres (miles) away from the Presidential Villa.

— Police also used tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Bauchi and Borno states in northeast Nigeria.

— Roads were blocked in sections of the country by placard-carrying protestors or armed security forces deployed overnight following days of mobilisation for rallies against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Some groups also held protests in support of the Nigerian leader.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Recently, the Indian Embassy in which among the following countries has advised Indians to “leave the country” and against travelling to the country.

(a) Sudan

(b) Iran

(c) Lebanon

(d) Israel

Explanation

— Amid escalating regional tensions, the Indian Embassy in Lebanon has warned Indians to “leave the country” and avoid visiting the country.

— The Embassy has issued a new caution encouraging Indian nationals to leave the country as tensions rise following the recent deaths of prominent Hamas officials.

— According to statistics, Lebanon has roughly 4,000 Indian nationals, the majority of whom work in companies, the construction sector, and agricultural fields.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Consider the following pairs:

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) All three pairs

(d) None of the above pairs

Explanation

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

Consider the following countries/unions:

1. Italy

2. European Union

3. African Union

4. United States

Which of the above countries/unions are members of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)?

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

— The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a connectivity project that aims to create a seamless network of ports, trains, roads, marine lines, and pipelines to boost trade between India, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean region, and Europe.

— The IMEC Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in September 2023 in New Delhi during the G-20 summit by India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, Italy, the United States, and the European Union.

— In addition to the signatories to the MoU, Israel and Greece are two important nodal sites in IMEC who have expressed interest in joining the project.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 69)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 69)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 69)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 68)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 68)

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