UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on Global Environment Facility, Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support and more (Week 141)

QUESTION 1

Consider the following statements about the Global Environment Facility (GEF):

1. It was established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

2. It is a financial mechanism for the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

3. It operates exclusively under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with no role for other agencies.

4. It provides funding only to developed countries for addressing global environmental problems.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— The Global Environment Facility (GEF), formed on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, serves as a catalyst for environmental action—among other things. Through strategic investments, the GEF collaborates with partners to address the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— GEF is a partnership between 18 institutions, including UNDP, UNEP, the World Bank, and FAO. The GEF has a vast network of civil society organisations, collaborates closely with the commercial sector all around the world, and receives ongoing feedback from an independent assessment office and a world-class scientific panel. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— It is a financial mechanism for five major international environmental conventions: the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— GEF provides funding primarily to developing countries and economies in transition, not only to developed countries. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

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

QUESTION 2

With reference to the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS), consider the following statements:

1. The agreement sets out procedures governing the movement of military formations, warships and military aircraft.

2. This agreement has been signed between India and Russia.

3. It will facilitate the mutual use of airspace.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) was ratified by both houses of the Russian Parliament before receiving presidential approval. It will come into force after the formal exchange of instruments of ratification between Russia and India. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The agreement sets out procedures governing the movement of military formations, warships and military aircraft between Russia and India, as well as the arrangements for providing logistical support to each other’s forces. It will facilitate the mutual use of airspace by Russian and Indian military aircraft, and has provisions related to port calls by warships of both countries. Hence, statements 1 and 3 are correct.

— It is designed to regulate not only the dispatch of troops and military equipment, but also the logistics associated with such deployments. This includes support services that may be required when forces from either country operate on the other’s territory.

— The established framework is intended to be applied during joint military exercises and training activities, as well as in situations involving humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. That said, the agreement also allows for its provisions to be used in other scenarios, subject to mutual consent by both sides.

— For India, RELOS provides an institutional framework for access to Russian air and naval bases, from Vladivostok on the Pacific to Murmansk on the Arctic, for refuelling, repairs, and maintenance, boosting operational reach and readiness, especially for Russian-origin equipment.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

The European Parliament approved the EU’s plan to phase out Russian gas imports:

1. Liquefied natural gas imports by the end of 2025

2. Pipeline gas by the end of 2026.

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

— The European Parliament approved the EU’s plan to phase out Russian gas imports by late 2027, clearing the penultimate legal hurdle before the ban becomes law.

— The law is designed to be approved by a reinforced majority of countries, allowing it to overcome opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, who want to maintain close ties with Moscow.

— Under the agreement, the EU will halt Russian liquefied natural gas imports by the end of 2026 and pipeline gas by the end of September 2027. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are not correct.

— As of October, Russia accounted for 12 per cent of EU gas imports, down from 45 per cent before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Hungary, France and Belgium are among the countries still receiving supplies.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Recently, the Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces were in the news due to the US military strike. These provinces are located in:

(a) Iraq

(b) Jordan

(c) Syria

(d) Egypt

Explanation

— The United States has carried out large-scale military strikes against Islamic State (IS) fighters and weapons sites in Syria, following an attack that killed two US soldiers and an American interpreter last week.

(Photo: Reuters)

— US officials said the attack involved multiple aircraft, including F-15 Eagle fighter jets, A-10 Thunderbolt ground-attack planes and AH-64 Apache helicopters. F-16 jets based in Jordan and HIMARS rocket artillery were also used.

— Syrian state television reported that the US strikes hit areas in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces, as well as the Jabal al-Amour region near Palmyra. It said the targets included IS weapons depots and command centres.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

Which of the following Indian states borders Bangladesh?

1. Meghalaya

2. Manipur

3. Assam

4. Nagaland

5. West Bengal

6. Tripura

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5

(b) 2, 3, 5 and 6

(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5

(d) 1, 3, 5 and 6

Explanation

— The Ministry of External Affairs has summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah over security concerns of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. The development has come after Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah, warned of isolating the Northeast’s Seven Sisters and offering shelter to separatist groups if India tried to destabilise Bangladesh.

— Bangladesh shares its border with five Indian states: West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

— Manipur and Nagaland do not share a border with Bangladesh.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 135)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 141)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 141)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 141)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 141)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 140)

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