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

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.

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.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: China has historically been the dominant global producer of rare earth elements, accounting for a significant share of the world’s supply. Concerns about supply disruptions have arisen due to China’s implementation of export restrictions, quotas, and other regulatory measures. These actions have included limiting export volumes, imposing ex-port tariffs, and consolidating its rare earth mining industry. These policies, while potentially aimed at domestic industrial development and resource conservation, have had significant impacts on global markets, creating price volatility and raising concerns about access to these crucial materials for other countries.

Statement 2 is incorrect: China, Australia, Canada, and Chile dominate the rare earth element market, but reserves are also found in Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. Other countries like the USA, India, Russia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Myanmar also have significant rare earth deposits. While China remains the largest producer, global exploration and development efforts are underway to diversify supply due to challenges in mining operations elsewhere.

Statement 3 is correct: Rare earth metals are crucial for electronics, used in magnets, batteries, displays, and more. As global demand for electronic products and renewable energy grows, the need for these elements has risen, heightening concerns about supply security and their strategic economic importance.

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.