UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on UNGA resolution, operation ‘Eastern Sentry’ and more (Week 127)

QUESTION 1

The operation ‘Eastern Sentry’ has been launched by:

(a) North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

(b) United Nations

(c) European Union

(d) ASEAN

Explanation

— The United States-led NATO has launched an operation ‘Eastern Sentry’ in order to beef up the defence of its eastern flank in Europe, two days after Poland, a member-state of NATO, shot down Russian drones that violated its airspace in first of its kind attack on Moscow by a member of the Western military alliance since the Russia-Ukraine war started in February 2022.

— Announcing the Eastern Sentry operation, NATO chief Rutte said, “Eastern Sentry will add flexibility and strength to our posture and make clear that, as a defensive alliance, we are always ready to defend.” He added that Russia’s drone incursion in Poland’s territory was “dangerous and unacceptable” and that it was “not an isolated incident.”

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Consider the following countries:

1. Philippines

2. Malaysia

3. Laos

4. Cambodia

5. Vietnam

Which of the countries given above shares a border with the South China Sea?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5

(c) 1, 3 and 4

(d) 1, 2 and 5

Explanation

— China’s military said it had conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea and warned the Philippines against any provocations.

— The two countries have been engaged in a long-running maritime standoff in the strategic waterway that has included regular clashes between coast guard ships and massive naval exercises.

— China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, and Indonesia share land boundaries with the South China Sea. Taiwan shares a boundary with the sea, albeit its sovereignty is disputed. These states share coastlines and islands with the sea, but also have rival territorial claims within it.

— Laos and Cambodia do not share a border with the South China Sea.

— China claims almost all of the South China Sea, a waterway that transports more than $3 trillion in yearly trade, despite competing claims from the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

With reference to the UN General Assembly resolution – ‘Endorsement of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution’, consider the following statements:

1. The resolution was introduced by Russia.

2. India voted in favour of the resolution.

3. The declaration urges collective action to end the war in Gaza.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— India voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution backing the ‘New York Declaration’ that calls for a peaceful settlement of the Palestine issue through the two-state solution. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— India was among the countries that backed the resolution titled ‘Endorsement of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution’. The resolution, introduced by France, sailed through with 142 votes in support, 10 against and 12 abstentions. Those opposing it included Israel, the United States, Argentina and Hungary. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The declaration, adopted at a high-level conference in July co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, urges collective action to end the war in Gaza. The leaders “agreed to take collective action to end the war in Gaza, to achieve a just, peaceful and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the effective implementation of the two-state solution, and to build a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and all peoples of the region”. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

The Lukolela territory was in the news after a whaleboat caught fire. The territory is located in:

(a) Zambia

(b) Democratic Republic of Congo

(c) Uganda

(d) Cameroon

Explanation

— At least 107 people have died after a whaleboat caught fire in the west of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to an internal government report seen by Reuters.

— River transport is a lifeline in Congo’s vast rainforest regions, where old, wooden vessels are the main form of transport between villages, but accidents are frequent due to overloading, poor maintenance and the use of riverboats at night.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

Which of the following countries was going through widespread anti-government protests against a ban on social media and alleged corruption after the abrupt resignation of its Prime Minister?

(a) Myanmar

(b) Australia

(c) Nepal

(d) Thailand

Explanation

— China congratulated Sushila Karki on taking office as the prime minister of Nepal’s interim government, stressing the “time-honoured friendship” between the two neighbouring countries.

— Karki was sworn in on Friday night as Nepal’s first woman prime minister, ending days of political uncertainty after the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli following widespread anti-government protests against a ban on social media and alleged corruption.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 124)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 127)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 127)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 127)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 127)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 126)

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