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

Explanation

The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum that includes the following eight member states:

1. Canada

2. Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands)

3. Finland

4. Iceland

5. Norway

6. Russia (Russian Federation)

7. Sweden

8. United States (United States of America) Japan and the United Kingdom are not full member states. They hold observer status in the Council. The Arctic Council was established in 1996 through the Ottawa Declaration. Its primary mandate is to promote cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic States, particularly on matters of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic region. The Council serves as a platform for these eight member states to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Arctic’s changing environment and the increasing interest in its resources. In addition to the core members and Indigenous Permanent Participants, other states, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations can hold observer status, allowing them to engage with the Council’s work and contribute their expertise. This inclusive structure fosters a collaborative approach to addressing the complex issues facing the Arctic region.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Chechnya is a federal subject of Russia, officially designated as the Chechen Republic. Located in the North Caucasus region, Chechnya has a complex history marked by periods of conflict and separatism. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Chechnya declared independence, leading to two devastating wars with Russia in the 1990s and early 2000s. Currently, Chechnya remains a part of the Russian Federation, though it enjoys a degree of autonomy.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Darfur is a region located in western Sudan, not in Mali. The Darfur region has been the site of a prolonged and complex conflict, marked by widespread violence, displacement, and humanitarian crisis. The conflict, which began in 2003, involved various armed groups, including the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Janjaweed militia, and has resulted in significant human rights abuses. Mali, on the other hand, is a country located in West Africa, distinct geographically and politically from the Darfur region.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: The Swat Valley is situated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, not in Iraq. Known for its scenic beauty, the Swat Valley has also experienced periods of instability, particularly in the late 2000s when it was temporarily under the control of the Taliban.