UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations (Week 28)

1. It is an intergovernmental organisation of the 55 member states.

2. The grouping is the successor of the Organisation of African Unity.

3. The AU’s secretariat, the African Union Commission, is based in Capetown.

4. The African Union (AU) is admitted as a new member of the BRICS groupings.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

QUESTION 2

Consider the following countries:

1. Israel

2. Saudi Arabia

3. United Arab Emirates

4. Bahrain

How many of the countries given above have signed the Abraham Accords?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

QUESTION 3

With reference to the India-ASEAN, consider the following statements:

1. ASEAN is central to India’s Act East policy, which focuses on the extended neighbourhood in the Asia-Pacific region.

2. India is not a part of the ASEAN Plus Six grouping.

3. The 20th ASEAN-India summit, 2023 was held in Indonesia.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 4

With reference to the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, consider the following statements:

1. It was established to work with fellow developing countries in a spirit of South-South cooperation by providing support to projects that aim to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

2. It adheres to the principles of South-South cooperation.

3. The Fund supports projects that are in alignment with the 2030 Agenda.

4. The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation is the designated Fund manager.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

QUESTION 5

Consider the following countries:

1. Iran

2. Egypt

3. Syria

4. Israel

5. Turkey

How many of the above countries border Lebanon?

(a) Only two

(b) Only three

(c) Only four

(d) All five

ANSWERS TO THE MCQs

1. (b)

FYI:

— The African Union (AU) was approved as a new member of the G20 less than three months after India proposed the inclusion of the group. This occurred at the ongoing 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in New Delhi. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

— The AU is an intergovernmental organisation of the 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— It was launched on July 9, 2002, the grouping is the successor of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was formed in 1963 (more on this later). Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The AU’s secretariat, the African Union Commission, is based in Addis Ababa. Collectively the group has a gross domestic product (gdp) of $3 trillion with some 1.4 billion people. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— The AU’s predecessor, OAU, was also an intergovernmental organisation and it aimed to bring African nations together and resolve common issues through collective action.

— Its primary goal, however, was to aid in the liberation of the continent’s colonial countries. To that end, the OAU rallied diplomatic support and gave logistical assistance to liberation movements across Africa.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

2. (c)

FYI:

— Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the United States-brokered Abraham Accords.

— It was a historic moment for our peoples and nations, fostering new hope for peace and prosperity in the Middle East.

— It also brought exciting opportunities for India and its thriving business community, which enjoys strong relations and engagement with our countries.

— The Abraham Accords were the result of teamwork between our countries aimed at normalising relations, bringing Israel closer to Gulf states that shared common values and mutual interests, and advancing the peace drive.

— Furthermore, the introduction of direct flights has enhanced connection between our countries, making it easier for visitors, business people, and students to travel. People are eager to see new locations, learn about local cultures, and form lifelong friendships.

— The Gulf’s growing Indian diaspora may now fly directly from the UAE to Israel or from Israel to Bahrain. Indian students are going back and forth to have better access to our universities and to investigate overseas academic courses.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

3. (b)

FYI:

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the 20th ASEAN-India summit in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, that ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is the “central pillar” of India’s Act East Policy and that the country fully supports the group’s centrality and outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— On 8 August 1967, five leaders – the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – came together in Bangkok. Over the next few decades, five other countries joined them – Brunei Darussalam, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.

— The ASEAN Declaration signed by the five leaders conveyed the aspiration to further regional cooperation.

— ASEAN is essential to India’s Act East policy, which focuses on the Asia-Pacific region’s wider neighbours. Initially envisaged as an economic endeavour, the programme has grown to include political, strategic, and cultural components, as well as the construction of institutional frameworks for conversation and collaboration. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— India is part of the ASEAN Plus Six grouping, which includes China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

4. (d)

FYI:

— The Government of India established the India-UN Development Partnership Fund in June 2017 to work with fellow developing countries in a spirit of South-South cooperation by providing support to projects that aim to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at their request. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The Government of India has contributed $100 million to the India-UN Development Partnership Fund for the next decade.

— It adheres to the principles of South-South cooperation and places a priority on national ownership and leadership, equality, sustainability, development of local capacity and mutual benefit. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The Fund supports projects that are in alignment with the 2030 Agenda. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation is the designated Fund manager. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

5. (a)

FYI:

— The Israeli military said Wednesday night that hostile aircraft had entered the country from Lebanon, setting sirens blaring across northern Israel as it urged citizens there to shelter.

— The Israeli military confirmed the strike but refused to comment on potential deaths. The Israeli army bombarded the location where the strike was launched in southern Lebanon.

— Lebanon is bordered by Syria in the north and east, Israel in the south and the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 28)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 28)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 28)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 28)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 27)

Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JApGG3Nh6qQ?si=cioEgmpKpOPlD8Or