UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on Red Sea, Biofuture Platform and more (Week 117)

QUESTION 1

Consider the following statements:

1. It is one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies; its relationship with India is marked by robust and expanding trade and investment.

2. India is the largest destination for this country’s exports; gold accounts for more than 70% of India’s imports from this country.

The above mentioned statements refer to which country?

(a) Nigeria

(b) Benin

(c) Senegal

(d) Ghana

Explanation

— The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, visited nations in Africa and South America and attended the upcoming BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

— He is the first Indian prime minister to visit the country in three decades. John Mahama, who was elected President in January, travelled to India in 2015 for the India-Africa Forum Summit.

— Ghana is one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies; its relationship with India is marked by robust and expanding trade and investment. India is the largest destination for Ghanaian exports; gold accounts for more than 70% of India’s imports from Ghana.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Which of the following countries are members of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative?

1. India

2. Australia

3. France

4. Russia

5. Japan

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only

(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5

(c) 1, 2, 4 and 5

(d) 1 and 2 only

Explanation

— The Quad countries established the new flagship ‘Quad Critical Minerals Initiative’ to improve economic security and collective resilience by working together to secure and diversify vital mineral supply chains.

— “This new flagship initiative, along with the high-impact programs and outcomes that the Quad is achieving, will enable our four countries to bring economic opportunity and prosperity to our people and the region,” said a readout of the meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and her Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya.

— The Quad consists of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal, a guided missile frigate manufactured by:

(a) United States

(b) France

(c) Russia

(d) United Kingdom

Explanation

— The Navy commissioned INS Tamal, a Russian-built guided missile frigate equipped with dual-role BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. It is the final warship to be inducted from a foreign source, as India strives for self-reliance in defence.

— INS Tamal’s commissioning ceremony took place at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. The ship will shortly leave for her home port of Karwar, Karnataka, according to the Navy.

— “INS Tamal is a formidable moving fortress at sea and is designed for blue water operations across the spectrum of naval warfare in all four dimensions — air, surface, underwater and electromagnetic,” according to the Navy.

— INS Tamal is the eighth multi-role stealth frigate of Project 1135.6, a series of Russian-built frigates for the Indian Navy, and the second of the additional Tushil class ships. The first ship of the Tushil class (INS Tushil) was commissioned in December last year.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Which of the following countries is bordered by the Red Sea?

1. Egypt

2. Sudan

3. Jordan

4. Israel

5. Yemen

6. Djibouti

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5

(c) 3, 4, 5 and 6

(d) 1, 2, 5 and 6

Explanation

— A ship was attacked in the Red Sea near Yemen’s coast by armed individuals firing firearms and throwing rocket-propelled grenades, according to a group authorised by the British military.

— The western boundary of the Red Sea is Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti, while the eastern border is Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Furthermore, Israel and Jordan share coasts along the Gulf of Aqaba, a northern continuation of the Red Sea.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

The River Seine was in the news recently. It flows through the capital city of:

(a) Belgium

(b) Monaco

(c) France

(d) Switzerland

Explanation

— For the first time in over a century, Parisians and visitors will be able to take a cool plunge in the River Seine. Following a 1.4 billion euro ($1.5 billion) cleansing initiative that made it acceptable for Olympic competitions last year, the long-polluted canal is now ready for summer swims.

— Swimming in the Seine has been prohibited since 1923, with a few exceptions, due to pollution and hazards associated with river navigation. Taking a dip outside of bathing facilities is still prohibited for safety reasons.

— The Seine was a highlight of the Paris Olympics in 2024, serving as the site of the spectacular opening ceremony as well as the triathlon and marathon swimming events. Rainfall increased bacteria levels, postponing some competitions.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 6

Consider the following countries:

1. China

2. India

3. United States

4. Brazil

5. Japan

6. Russia

Which of the above mentioned countries are the members of the Biofuture Platform?

(a) 1, 2, 4, 6

(b) 3, 4, 5, 6

(c) 1, 2 , 3, 4

(d) All of the above

Explanation

According to the biofutureplatform.org:

— The Biofuture Initiative evolved from the Biofuture Platform, a 23-country effort established in 2016 under the leadership of Brazil to accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon bioeconomy.

— Member Countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay.

— Observers: Japan

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 7

With reference to ‘Dustlik’, consider the following statements:

1. It is a joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan.

2. The exercise conducted in April 2025 in its sixth edition focussing on the counter-terrorism operations in sub-conventional domains and will include both Army and Air Force elements.

Which of the above given statements is/are true?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Pune played host to the sixth edition of the joint military exercise ‘Dustlik’ between India and Uzbekistan, which was held at the Foreign Training Node (FTN) at Aundh from April 16 to 28. The exercise focused on the counter-terrorism operations in sub-conventional domains and included both Army and Air Force elements, said officials.

— Exercise Dustlik, which means friendship in Uzbek, is an yearly event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan. The last edition was conducted at Termez in Uzbekistan and at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand in 2023. The aim of the exercise is to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in various environments and terrains. The two-week long activities focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and special arms skills.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 8

Which of the following is the only tripartite U.N. agency?

(a) International Monetary Fund

(b) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

(c) International Labour Organization

(d) International Seabed Authority

Explanation

According to ilo.org:

— “The only tripartite U.N. agency, since 1919 the ILO brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 Member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.”

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 115)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 117)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 117)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 117)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 117)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 116)

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