International Relations: UPSC Previous Year Questions (International Relations and Current Affairs)

Explanation

New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is a bilateral nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, signed in 2010 and enforced from 2011. The treaty caps the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads at 1,550 per country and imposes limits on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and heavy bombers. Serving as a successor to the original START I treaty (1991), it continued the nuclear arms control initiatives established during the Cold War. In 2021, the treaty was extended for an additional five years, remaining in effect until Feb 4th, 2026.

Option (b) is incorrect: The East Asia Summit deals with regional economic and security issues, but New START is unrelated to energy security or multilateral agreements.

Option (c) is incorrect: Russia and the EU have energy agreements, but New START is strictly a nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the USA.

Option (d) is incorrect: BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) focuses on economic cooperation, not nuclear arms reduction.

Explanation

The most geostrategically significant factor about Southeast Asia is its location between the Pacific and Indian Oceans and its dominance in maritime trade routes, particularly through the Strait of Malacca, Sunda Strait, and Lombok Strait. The Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s most crucial maritime chokepoints, is vital for global shipping, making Southeast Asia central to global trade and security. Southeast Asia serves as a critical link between major global economies such as China, India, Japan, and the USA. It controls some of the world’s busiest sea lanes, with a significant portion of global trade and energy supplies passing through the region.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: One of the key goals of the Look East Policy was to strengthen India’s presence and influence in East and Southeast Asia, aligning with major economies like ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea. It aimed at enhancing trade, investment, defense cooperation, and connectivity in the region.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The end of the Cold War led to a shift in global power dynamics, but the Look East Policy was not specifically aimed at filling a power vacuum. Instead, it was driven by India’s need for economic liberalization, regional integration, and diversification of foreign policy.

Statement 3 is correct: India has deep-rooted cultural and historical links with Southeast and East Asian countries, particularly through Buddhism, Hinduism, and trade routes. The policy is aimed at reviving these traditional ties to strengthen diplomatic and economic partnerships.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Australia Group (AG) is indeed an informal arrangement that aims to prevent the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. However, the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) is also an informal group, not a formal OECD body. The Wassenaar Arrangement focuses on the control of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, not chemical or biological weapons.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Australia Group consists of 42 members (including the USA, European countries, Australia, and Japan). It does not primarily comprise Asian, African, or North American nations. The Wassenaar Arrangement consists of 42 members, mainly from Europe, North America, and some Asian countries (including India, Japan, and South Korea). However, it is not exclusive to European and American continents.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Strait of Malacca is already a deep and navigable waterway between Malaysia and Indonesia and is one of the busiest maritime routes in the world. Deepening the Malacca Strait would not significantly reduce navigation time because ships already use this route effectively. The real challenge is congestion and piracy, not depth.

Statement 2 is correct: The Kra Canal (proposed) would create a shortcut through Thailand’s Kra Isthmus, connecting the Gulf of Thailand (Siam) with the Andaman Sea. This would allow ships to bypass the long detour through the Malacca Strait, reducing both travel time and distance between India and East Asia. However, the canal has not yet been constructed, though discussions and feasibility studies have taken place.