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

Explanation

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) classifies Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS) as those that tested nuclear weapons before January 1, 1967. These include China (Tested in 1964), France (Tested in 1960), Russia (formerly Soviet Union, 1949), United Kingdom (Tested in 1952) and United States (Tested in 1945).

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) is a landmark international agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment. It was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, organized by the United Nations. It is recognized as one of the most comprehensive global commitments to advancing women’s rights. The BPfA serves as a guiding framework for national and international efforts to achieve gender equality. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) focuses on security and economic cooperation. APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) deals with trade and economic policies, not gender equality. Wildlife trafficking is addressed under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the East Asia Summit, but this is unrelated to the Beijing Declaration.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), formerly IOR-ARC, was established in 1997. It was not formed in response to piracy or oil spills but to promote regional economic cooperation, trade, and devel-opment among Indian Ocean nations. Piracy and maritime security became important issues later, but they were not the primary reason for formation of IOR-ARC.

Statement 2 is incorrect: IORA is not just about maritime security; it covers a broad range of areas, including: Trade and investment facilitation, Fisheries management, Disaster risk reduction, Academic and scientific cooperation, Tourism and cultural exchanges.

Explanation

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is a regional cooperation initiative launched in 2000 to strengthen ties between India and five Southeast Asian countries along the Mekong River and the Ganges River. MGC Member Countries include India, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam. Clearly, Bangladesh and China are not participants in MGC.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: APEC is a 21-member economic forum focused on promoting free trade and economic co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region. India has been seeking APEC membership, but it has not yet been admitted.

Statement 2 is incorrect: ASEAN is a regional group of 10 Southeast Asian countries. However, India has strong ties with ASEAN and is a part of the ASEAN+6 framework but is not a full member.

Statement 3 is correct: India is a member of the East Asia Summit (EAS). EAS includes 18 countries, including ASEAN members + India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and the US. It focuses on political, security, and economic issues in the Indo-Pacific region. It promotes peace, stability, connectivity, and cooperation on global challenges such as climate change and health security.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: Amnesty International is NOT a UN agency. UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) is the actual UN body responsible for refugee assistance.

Option (b) is correct: Amnesty International fights for human rights globally hence, is the correct answer.

Option (c) is incorrect: Amnesty focuses on human rights, not poverty alleviation. Organizations like Oxfam and ActionAid focus on helping the poor.

Option (d) is incorrect: Amnesty International is not intergovernmental. Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) deals with medical emergencies.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: Central Asia includes Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and Golan Heights is not in this region.

Option (b) is correct: Golan Heights is in the Middle East, contested between Israel and Syria.

Option (c) is incorrect: Southeast Asia includes countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar, but Golan Heights is unrelated to this region.

Option (d) is incorrect: Central Africa includes DR Congo, Chad, and the Central African Republic, not related to the Golan Heights.

Explanation

The Fortaleza Declaration was adopted during the 6th BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil, in July 2014. The BRICS Summit brought together the five member countries:

1. Brazil 2. Russia

3. India 4. China

5. South Africa

Explanation

The World Bank is the publisher of the Global Economic Prospects report, a flagship publication that provides comprehensive analyses of the global economic landscape. This report is released twice a year, typically in January and June, and offers in-depth assessments of current economic conditions, emerging trends, and potential risks to the global economy. It serves as a key resource for policymakers. It focuses on the challenges faced by emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The report highlights key issues such as trade restrictions, inflation, debt, and geopolitical tensions, while offering policy recommendations to foster sustainable growth. For 2025-26, global growth is projected to remain at 2.7%, with EMDEs contributing significantly to global GDP. The GEP emphasizes the need for investment, fiscal reforms, and international cooperation to address climate change, trade governance, and economic disparities.

Explanation

The 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak devastated West Africa, with Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia at its epicenter. This was the largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded, exposing critical weaknesses in regional healthcare systems and requiring a massive international response. The rapid spread and high mortality rate highlighted the global importance of infectious disease preparedness.