UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on India-Brunei relations, FOCAC and more (Week 74)

1. It was established in 2000 to formalise the strategic partnership between China and African nations.

2. The summit is conducted every year with the host alternating between China and an African member.

3. The FOCAC constitutes all the African countries.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Chinese President Xi Jinping committed $51 billion in funding to African countries during the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing.

— The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was created in 2000 to formalise China’s strategic engagement with African countries. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The summit is conducted every third year with the host alternating between China and an African member. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The FOCAC is made up of 53 African countries, with the exception of Eswatini, which has diplomatic connections with Taiwan in opposition to Beijing’s “One China” policy. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— The African Union Commission, the continental bloc in charge of promoting cooperation and economic integration among its member countries, is also a member.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

With reference to the India-Brunei relations, consider the following statements:

1. The formalisation of diplomatic relations between the two countries started in 1984.

2. Brunei is part of India’s ‘Act East’ Policy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Brunei Darussalam’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, on September 3 for an official visit.

— He is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Southeast Asian nation, and his tour coincides with the 40th anniversary of India and Brunei’s diplomatic relations. The formalisation of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1984 signified the start of a long-term friendship. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Brunei’s population is estimated to be 450,500 as of 2023. Brunei citizens account for around 76% of the population, with the remainder being permanent or temporary residents. More than 80% of the population is either Malay or Chinese.

— Currently, Brunei has roughly 14,000 Indian residents. The contribution of Indian doctors and teachers to the growth and development of Brunei’s healthcare and education sectors has received widespread recognition.

— Brunei is a part of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indo-Pacific vision. The ‘Act East’ Policy was developed as the next step after the ‘Look East’ Policy, which began in the 1990s. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Which of the following countries shares the territorial boundary with both Russia and Ukraine? (UPSC-CDS(II) – 2024)

(a) Estonia

(b) Latvia

(c) Belarus

(d) Poland

Note: The aspirants should also refer to the questions from other competitive exams conducted by the UPSC which might be useful for UPSC–CSE.

Explanation

— Belarus, the largest landlocked European country bordering two warring states, Russia and Ukraine, has found itself in a hazardous position due to its political proximity to Russia.

— The Belarussian border acts as a meeting point for Russia and Ukraine to discuss ways to resolve the conflict. However, neither the first nor the second round of talks produced a meaningful breakthrough.

— Belarus has historically served as the venue of negotiations between the two countries, with two sets of accords reached in the Belarusian capital of Minsk in 2014 and 2015 to stop the fighting in east Ukraine.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Which of the following Arabian countries has completed its first nuclear power plant?

(a) Saudi Arabia

(b) United Arab Emirates

(c) Qatar

(d) Oman

Explanation

— The United Arab Emirates has finished the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant, according to a statement from the state-owned Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

— According to ENEC, the four-reactor project will supply 25 per cent of the electricity needed in the hot, desert Gulf state, where air conditioning is common—roughly similar to New Zealand’s yearly electricity use.

— The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is located near Al Dhafra, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on the Arabian Gulf, approximately 53 kilometres west-southwest of the city of Ruwais.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

In June 2024, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with USA to support Indian Railways in achieving Mission Net Zero Carbon Emissions by the year: (UPSC-CDS(II) – 2024)

(a) 2030

(b) 2040

(c) 2050

(d) 2070

Note: The aspirants should also refer to the questions from other competitive exams conducted by the UPSC which might be useful for UPSC–CSE.

Explanation

— Indian Railways (IR) is proactively aiming to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030. Indian Railways has launched a number of initiatives to help lower its carbon footprint. In line with this, on June 14, 2023, Indian Railways, the Government of India, and the United States Agency for International Development/India (USAID/India) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

— Through the MoU, Indian Railways would have a framework for exchanging knowledge and perspectives within the railway industry. Collaboration on advanced energy solutions and systems, regional energy and market integration, utility modernisation, private sector participation and engagement, and training sessions and seminars centred on particular technical domains like energy efficiency and renewable energy are all made easier by it. The main goal is to promote knowledge exchange and communication for the benefit of both sides.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Source: http://www.ibef.org)

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 74)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 74)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 74)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 74)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 73)

Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.

Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNesF36gKu4?si=rfZMO2jhnscnzFob