UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on UN Peacekeeping missions, Gold Card visa program and more (Week 99)

QUESTION 1

With reference to the UN Peacekeeping missions, consider the following statements:

1. Since the 1950s, India has contributed to more than 50 UN Peacekeeping missions.

2. Recently, India has stopped offering training and capacity-building programs in UN Peacekeeping missions.

3. In UN Peacekeeping, the states voluntarily provide the military and police personnel required for each peacekeeping operation from their national forces.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised India’s commitment to assisting Global South nations in developing their peacekeeping capacities at the inaugural ‘Conference for Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’.

— India would continue to provide training and capacity-building programs, including courses specifically targeted for women peacekeepers, through initiatives headed by the Centre for UN Peacekeeping, as it did with ASEAN countries in 2023, according to Jaishankar. “India strongly thinks that peacekeeping is an effective tool for maintaining world peace and security. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Since the 1950s, India has sent over 290,000 peacekeepers to more than 50 UN peacekeeping missions, according to Jaishankar. Currently, more than 5,000 Indian troops are stationed in nine of the eleven active peacekeeping missions. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The concept of UN peacekeeping originates from the UN’s lack of armed forces. As a result, Member States voluntarily provide military and police personnel as needed for each peacekeeping mission from their own national forces. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— Peacekeepers often wear their own countries’ uniforms and are recognisable as UN peacekeepers simply by a UN blue helmet or beret and insignia. They are tasked with protecting people, actively preventing conflict, decreasing violence, increasing security, and equipping national institutions to carry out these functions.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Consider the following places:

1. Kyiv

2. Kharkiv

3. Luhansk

4. Donetsk

What is the correct chronological order of these places in Ukraine from west to east?

(a) 1—2—3—4

(b) 3—4—2—1

(c) 1—2—4—3

(d) 4—1—2—3

Explanation

— Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched more than 200 drones in the largest overnight attack of the war, condemning Russia’s “aerial terror” and calling for solidarity among Ukraine’s allies.

— On the eve of the third anniversary of the full-fledged war, Russia fired 267 attack drones against Ukraine, the most since Iranian drones began targeting Ukrainian cities and villages.

— Ukraine’s air force stated in a statement that 138 drones were downed and another 119 disappeared from radars after being blocked by electronic warfare, and that Russia launched three ballistic missiles. Damage was reported in five regions of Ukraine.

— The correct order of the places from west to east is Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk and Luhansk.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

With reference to the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations, consider the following statements:

1. The United Nations General Assembly was founded in 1945, while the Security Council was established in 1949.

2. While General Assembly resolutions are legally binding, Security Council resolutions are not.

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

— On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, the United States published a brief three-paragraph motion declaring neutrality in the war, calling for a “swift end” to the fight and a “lasting peace.” The statement was a dramatic change from the Biden administration’s ongoing strong backing for Ukraine.

— It was the first Security Council resolution passed since the war began, as earlier attempts had been thwarted by Russia’s veto authority.

— In contrast, showing the deepening isolation of the United States and Russia, the 193-member UN General Assembly earlier accepted a resolution criticising Russia drafted by Ukraine and the European Union.

— Security Council resolutions are legally binding, whereas General Assembly resolutions are not. They do, however, carry tremendous diplomatic and political weight because they represent worldwide consensus. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The United Nations’ primary bodies are the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice, and UN Secretariat. All were formed in accordance with the UN Charter when the Organisation was founded in 1945. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

The Kurdish region was in the news recently. It is located in:

(a) Syria

(b) Bangladesh

(c) Kazakhstan

(d) Iraq

Explanation

— Iraq’s first official population census in almost four decades has recorded 46.1 million people, according to final results released. The count marks a major step for the country’s planning and development, reported Associated Press (AP).

— The census provided thorough information on living conditions throughout Iraq and the semi-autonomous Kurdish region.

— According to the AP, 70.2% of the population in federal Iraq lives in cities, with the Kurdish region having a higher proportion of 84.6%. Employment rates were significantly higher in Kurdish territories, where 46% of the population was economically active, vs 41.6% in federal Iraq.

— According to educational data, 93% of Kurdish children attend elementary school, compared to 88% in the rest of Iraq. However, federal Iraq had more access to essential services such as drinkable water, electricity, and property ownership.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

The “Gold Card” visa program is associated with:

(a) Canada

(b) Australia

(c) United States

(d) China

Explanation

— President Donald Trump has unveiled the “Gold Card” visa program for foreign investors seeking permanent residency in the United States and, ultimately, American citizenship.

— “We are going to be selling a Gold Card,” Trump stated. “We want to charge around $5 million for that card. It will provide you with Green Card benefits, as well as a path to (American) citizenship, and affluent people will enter our nation by purchasing this card,” President Donald Trump stated.

— The scheme, the details of which will be revealed in two weeks, would replace the EB-5 immigrant investment visa program.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 99)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 99)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 99)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 99)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 99)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 96, 97 and 98)

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