UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on New Caledonia, India-Saudi trade and more (Week 58)

(a) United States

(b) France

(c) Russia

(d) Iran

QUESTION 2

New Caledonia was recently in news due to the imposition of a state of emergency. It is:

(a) French territory

(b) Spain territory

(c) UK territory

(d) U.S. territory

QUESTION 3

Which country is facing a migration crisis as a main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in the hope of a better life in Europe?

(a) Nigeria

(b) Sudan

(c) Botswana

(d) Tunisia

QUESTION 4

With reference to the India-Saudi trade, consider the following statements:

1. India is the second largest trade partner for Saudi, while Saudi is India’s fourth largest trade partner.

2. Saudi Arabia was India’s largest crude and petroleum products sourcing destination in 2022-23.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

QUESTION 5

The province of Baghlan was in news due to flash floods. It is located in:

(a) Iran

(b) Afghanistan

(c) Bangladesh

(d) Thailand

ANSWERS TO THE MCQs

1. (a)

FYI:

— Under Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954, the United States may negotiate agreements to engage in significant civil nuclear cooperation with other nations.

— It specifies nine nonproliferation criteria those states must meet to keep them from using the technology to develop nuclear arms or transfer sensitive materials to others.

— Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, appears to be an unlikely contender for a nuclear agreement focused at developing power plants to generate energy.

— There are two reasons Riyadh may want to do this:

(i) The kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 reform plan, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, intends to generate significant renewable energy while also reducing emissions. At least some of this is anticipated to come from nuclear power.

(ii) Riyadh may desire to build nuclear expertise in case it ever decides to obtain nuclear weapons, notwithstanding the protections established in any agreement with Washington to avoid this.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

2. (a)

FYI:

— Four people have died and hundreds have been arrested amid recent protests in New Caledonia, a French overseas island territory in the Pacific Ocean.

— France has controlled the island since the mid-19th century, resulting in a significant French population.

— New Caledonia is located about 1,500 km east of Australia. It has been inhabited for several thousand years by indigenous groups, most notably the Melanesian Kanak people. Western colonial interest in the island dates back to 1774, when British explorer James Cook arrived. France conquered the island in 1853, marking the beginning of a long period of dominance over it.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

3. (d)

FYI:

— About 23 migrants were missing after setting off in a boat from Tunisia towards Italy.

— Tunisia is facing a migration crisis and has replaced Libya as a main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in the hope of a better life in Europe.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

4. (a)

FYI:

— For India, a US-Saudi Arabia pact and peace between Israel and Iran and Israel and Hamas could mean an opportunity to better harness the region’s potential.

— India-Saudi trade was valued at $52.76 billion in 2022-23. India is the second largest trade partner for Saudi, while Saudi is India’s fourth largest trade partner. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Energy cooperation is crucial to the partnership; Saudi Arabia was India’s third largest crude and petroleum product sourcing destination in 2022-23. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The more than 2.4 million-strong Indian population in Saudi Arabia is regarded as a living link between the two countries, and the Indian diaspora is greatly recognised in the kingdom for their contributions.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

5. (b)

FYI:

— Flash floods caused by heavy seasonal rains killed at least 68 people in Afghanistan, Taliban authorities said Saturday, adding that the death toll was based on preliminary information.

— Afghanistan has seen abnormally high seasonal rains. Life and property have been severely impacted, particularly in the northern province of Baghlan.

— 50 people were killed in the hard-hit western province of Ghor, according to Abdul Wahid Hamas, the provincial governor’s spokesman. He also stated that the province has incurred huge financial losses as a result of the floods on Friday, which devastated thousands of homes and properties and wrecked hundreds of hectares of agricultural land, including Feroz Koh, the capital city.

— According to the World Food Organisation, survivors have been left without a house, land, or means of support. The majority of Baghlan is “inaccessible by trucks,” according to the WFP, which is using every possible method to provide food to the survivors.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 58)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 58)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 58)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 58)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 57)

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