UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on World Economic Forum, QUAD and more (Week 94)

1. Originally the forum was known as the European Management Forum.

2. The WEF is largely funded by the United Nations.

3. The World Economic Forum adheres to the principles of moral integrity and intellectual integrity.

4. The World Economic Forum (WEF) hold its meeting every second year in Davos, Switzerland.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— The World Economic Forum (WEF) will host its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from January 20 to 24. Attendees will include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, and other corporate and political heavyweights. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

— Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will lead the Indian delegation. Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra, Revanth Reddy of Telangana, and Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh will also be present.

— Klaus Schwab, a German professor, formed the World Economic Forum. He graduated from mechanical engineering and went on to get a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

— From 1972 to 2003, Schwab taught business policy at the University of Geneva. In 1971, he formed the World Economic Forum, which was previously known as the European Management Forum. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The WEF is primarily funded by its partner corporations. These are typically worldwide companies with annual revenues more than $5 billion. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The World Economic Forum is committed to the ideals of independence, impartiality, moral integrity, and intellectual honesty. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Which of the following Indian states share a border with Bangladesh?

1. Arunachal Pradesh

2. Assam

3. Meghalaya

4. Tripura

5. Nagaland

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2, 3 and 5

(d) 2, 3, 4 and 5

Explanation

— India summoned Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner to India, Nural Islam, to discuss “security measures at the border, including fencing”.

— According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, India has followed all fence agreements between the two governments, as well as between the Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh.

— Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) recently attempted to stop the erection of a barbed wire barrier along the international border in Malda, West Bengal.

— Bangladesh borders five Indian states: Assam, West Bengal, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Tripura.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Which of the following is/are under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC)?

1. Crime against a religious group

2. Large-scale attack on a civilian population

3. War crimes

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan made an unannounced visit to Damascus to meet Syria’s transitional leadership. The visit aimed to discuss accountability for crimes committed during the country’s devastating civil war.

— The ICC’s founding instrument, known as the Rome Statute, allows it jurisdiction over four major crimes:

— The crime of genocide is distinguished by the specific intent to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group by killing its members or inflicting substantial bodily or mental harm on members of the group. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The International Criminal Court (ICC) can pursue crimes against humanity, which are significant violations committed as part of a large-scale attack on a civilian population. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— War crimes are serious violations of the Geneva Conventions in the context of armed conflict, such as the use of child soldiers, the killing or torture of civilians or prisoners of war, and the intentional targeting of hospitals, historic monuments, or buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science, or charitable purposes. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— Crime of aggression is the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, integrity or independence of another State.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.icc-cpi.int)

QUESTION 4

With reference to the QUAD, consider the following statements:

1. It is an informal group of countries representing Australia, India, France and the US.

2. It was an initiative of the Trump Administration in the first term and was elevated to the leadership level by the Biden Administration.

3. It was formed following the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004 to collaborate on disaster relief efforts.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— QUAD is an informal organisation of countries that includes Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. It was an endeavour of the Trump administration during his first term. The Biden administration elevated it to the position of leadership. Hence, statement 1 is not correct and statement 2 is correct.

— Following the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, India, Japan, Australia, and the United States formed an informal alliance to coordinate disaster relief efforts. Shinzo Abe, Japan’s then-Prime Minister, codified the partnership in 2007 as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— The decision of Rubio, US Secretary of State Marco to have his first meetings with the QUAD ministerial – as the first multilateral meeting – and first bilateral with India assumes significance given that the first foreign outreach of the new administration traditionally has been with its two neighbours Canada and Mexico or with its NATO allies.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

The first Integrated Check Post (ICP) was inaugurated at Darranga along the border of:

(a) India-Sri Lanka

(b) India-China

(c) India-Myanmar

(d) India-Bhutan

Explanation

— The first Integrated Check Post (ICP) along the India-Bhutan border was established in Darranga, Assam.

— ICP Darranga, which covers 14.5 acres and is roughly 700 metres from the India-Bhutan border, has cutting-edge facilities such as an office building, parking grounds, loading and unloading zones, a weighbridge, a warehouse, and residential quarters for personnel.

— It was developed by the Land Ports Authority of India and includes inspection areas, plant quarantine systems, and parking facilities to enable smooth operations.

— Darranga’s advantageous location is further enhanced by its connection. On the Indian side, it is easily accessible by National Highway 27 at Rangia, while on the Bhutanese side, extensive customs infrastructure at Samdrup-Jongkhar assures efficient trade.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 94)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 94)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 94)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 94)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 93)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 93)

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