Indian Relations

Question 3

Between which two countries is the military exercise “MITRA SHAKTI” conducted?

Answer 3

India and Sri Lanka.

Question 4

Where did the 9th edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI (2023) commence?

Answer 4

Aundh (Pune) [cite: 277, 1.1].

Question 5

What is the primary aim of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI?

Answer 5

To jointly rehearse the conduct of sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter [cite: 281, 1.1].

Question 6

What types of tactical actions are practiced during MITRA SHAKTI?

Answer 6

Raid, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, etc [cite: 283, 1.1].

Question 7

Besides infantry troops, which other forces participated in MITRA SHAKTI 2023?

Answer 7

Personnel from the Indian Air Force and Sri Lankan Air Force [cite: 280, 1.1].

Question 8

What modern technologies were involved in Exercise MITRA SHAKTI 2023?

Answer 8

Drones and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Question 9

When was the G20 group founded, and in response to what event?

Answer 9

Founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis.

Question 10

What level of representation did the G20 initially have?

Answer 10

Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.

Question 11

Approximately what percentage of the global population, trade, and GDP do G20 countries account for?

Answer 11

Two-thirds of global population, 75% of global trade, and 85% of world’s GDP.

Question 12

When was the G20 elevated to the level of Heads of State/Government?

Answer 12

In the wake of the 2007 global financial and economic crisis.

Question 13

What did India pitch as a cross-cutting theme during its G20 presidency?

Answer 13

Its digital infrastructure as an open-access platform to aid developmental outcomes.

Question 14

Name a key outcome championed by India during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi.

Answer 14

Inclusion of the African Union as a member; advocating for developing nations; promoting LiFE initiative; consensus building (e.g., Delhi Declaration).

Question 15

In which country did media reports allege China was trying to build its first Atlantic military base in 2021?

Answer 15

Equatorial Guinea [cite: 291, 3.1].

Question 16

What level of partnership did China and Equatorial Guinea establish in 2024?

Answer 16

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Question 17

What major political event occurred in Guinea in September 2021?

Answer 17

A coup d’état where the military captured the president, dissolved government, and suspended the constitution.

Question 18

What action did the African Union (AU) take following the 2021 coup in Guinea?

Answer 18

Suspended Guinea’s membership in the bloc.

Question 19

What is the current travel advisory status for Guinea due to political tensions?

Answer 19

Exercise a high degree of caution; ongoing heightened political/social tensions, potential for deterioration, avoid protests.

Question 20

According to the World Bank, what condition is Lebanon suffering from?

Answer 20

A dangerous depletion of resources, including human capital (brain drain), described as a “Deliberate Depression”.

Question 21

What actions did the President of Tunisia take in July 2021 amidst protests?

Answer 21

Suspended Parliament and fired the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Question 22

What is the highest institutionalised dialogue mechanism in the India-Russia strategic partnership?

Answer 22

The Annual Summit meeting between India’s Prime Minister and the President of the Russian Federation.

Question 23

What agreement related to nuclear cooperation was signed between India and Russia in 2018?

Answer 23

Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field.

Question 24

What does ‘BTIA’ stand for in the context of India-EU relations?

Answer 24

Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement.

Question 25

What is the current status of India-EU FTA (BTIA) negotiations?

Answer 25

Negotiations resumed in June 2022 after an 8-year gap; significant progress reported in recent rounds, but final agreement pending.

Question 26

Which Iranian port did India agree to help develop in 2015?

Answer 26

Chabahar Port.

Question 27

What is the strategic significance of Chabahar Port for India?

Answer 27

Enables trade with Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan; links Central Asia to South Asia; potential INSTC link [cite: 305, 306, 9.1].

Question 28

Where is Chabahar Port located?

Answer 28

Off the Gulf of Oman in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province; Iran's only port with direct ocean access.

Question 29

What are the names of the two ports comprising Chabahar?

Answer 29

Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti.

Question 30

What major transport corridor is Chabahar Port considered a vital link for?

Answer 30

International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Question 31

What event significantly set back the construction of the Chabahar-Zahedan rail link?

Answer 31

US withdrawal from the JCPOA and reimposition of sanctions on Iran.

Question 32

Where and when did the Arab Spring protests originally begin?

Answer 32

Tunisia in December 2010.

Question 33

What were the primary drivers of the initial Arab Spring protests in Tunisia?

Answer 33

Response to corruption and economic stagnation.

Question 34

What is a key aim of India's Look East Policy (now Act East Policy)?

Answer 34

Cultivate extensive economic and strategic relations with Southeast Asian nations; counter strategic influence of China.

Question 35

Does India's Act East Policy emphasize historical and cultural links?

Answer 35

Yes, it seeks to emphasize historic culture and ideological links.

Question 36

Name an initiative reflecting the cultural aspect of the Act East Policy.

Answer 36

Project Mausam.

Question 37

Name some recent security-related initiatives under India's Act East Policy.

Answer 37

Agreements with ASEAN on transnational crime/terrorism, SAGAR initiative, India-ASEAN maritime cooperation agreement, joint exercises (e.g., Malabar).

Question 38

What is the New START treaty?

Answer 38

A treaty between the USA and Russian Federation for the further reduction and limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms.

Question 39

When did the New START treaty enter into force?

Answer 39

February 5, 2011.

Question 40

What did Russia announce regarding its participation in the New START treaty recently (as per doc)?

Answer 40

Suspending its participation.

Question 41

Name the seven emirates constituting the UAE.

Answer 41

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah.

Question 42

Which country became the first to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2002?

Answer 42

The Netherlands.

Question 43

What are the conditions for euthanasia/assisted suicide under Dutch law?

Answer 43

Patient must have unbearable suffering, incurable illness, and make the demand in full consciousness.

Question 44

What is the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC)?

Answer 44

An initiative by India and five ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam) for cooperation.

Question 45

What are the main areas of cooperation under MGC?

Answer 45

Tourism, culture, education, transport, and communications.

Question 46

When and where was the MGC launched?

Answer 46

2000 at Vientiane, Lao PDR.