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

Explanation

The NSSO 70th Round (2012-13) "Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households" provides crucial data on the socio-economic conditions of Indian farmers.

Statement 1 is correct: Rajasthan had the highest percent-age of agricultural households (78.4 percent) among its rural households followed by Uttar Pradesh (74.8 percent) and Madhya Pradesh (70.8 percent).

Statement 2 is incorrect: As per the survey, about 45 percent out of the total agricultural households in the country belonged to Other Backward Classes (OBC). About 16% of agricultural households were from Scheduled Castes (SC) and 13 percent were from Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Statement 3 is correct: In Kerala, over 60% of agricultural households derive their main income from non-agricultur-al sources such as services, remittances, and trade due to the state’s economic structure.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: The Broad-based Investment Trade and Agreement (BTIA) refers to a trade agreement being negotiated between India and the European Union (EU). The aim of this agreement is to enhance trade relations, investment flows, and cooperation across various sectors between In-dia and the EU.

Option (b) is incorrect: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic union of six Arab countries, but the BTIA is not related to negotiations between India and the GCC. India’s trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is significant, with bilateral trade exceeding $154 billion. The GCC is India’s largest trading bloc and a key supplier of crude oil and natural gas, ensuring energy security. India exports petroleum products, textiles, and machinery to GCC nations, while ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations aim to deepen economic ties.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is an international organization focused on economic policy, but BTIA negotiations are specifically between India and the European Union. India has been a Key Partner of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) since 2007, collaborating on areas like anti-corruption, taxation, and trade. Though not a member, India benefits from OECD’s technical expertise and data analysis to support domestic reforms. It also participates in initiatives like the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes.

Option (d) is incorrect: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a multilateral organization, but BTIA is not related to negotiations within the SCO. As a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) since 2017, India focuses on strengthening trade with Central Asia in energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. The SCO also serves as a platform for regional cooperation in counterterrorism, economic integration, and addressing strategic challenges.

Explanation

The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is a key part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, aimed at streamlining customs procedures and reducing trade barriers.

Statement 1 is correct: India has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of WTO in April 2016, making it one of the WTO members committed to simplifying customs procedures and reducing trade barriers.

Statement 2 is correct: The TFA is a part of the WTO’s Bali Ministerial Package of 2013. This was one of the major out-comes of the Bali Ministerial Conference, which aimed to improve global trade efficiency.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) came into force on 22 February 2017. While the agreement was finalized in 2013 and ratified by enough countries to be implemented, the official entry into force of TFA happened later, after the ratification process was completed. This occurred after two-thirds of WTO member countries ratified the agreement, marking a significant milestone in global trade by aiming to simplify and expedite international trade processes.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: Developing the Chabahar Port in Iran is strategically important for India as it provides an alternative route to access Afghanistan and Central Asia, by-passing Pakistan, thus enhancing India’s trade and connectivity with the region while also serving as a counterpoint to China’s growing influence in the area through the Gwadar Port in Pakistan; it also acts as a gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), further boosting trade with Russia and Eurasia. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Chabahar is important for trade with Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, but it does not significantly impact India’s trade with Africa. India already has strong ties with Gulf nations for oil imports, and Chabahar is not directly linked to improving these relations. Pakistan is unlikely to facilitate any strategic project for India, especially in the energy sector. Instead, India is pursuing the Iran-India undersea gas pipeline project to avoid transit through Pakistan.

Explanation

The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is a voluntary initiative established by the Indian Navy in 2008 to enhance maritime cooperation among the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It provides an open and inclusive platform for discussing regional maritime issues, fostering collaboration, and promoting security. IONS focuses on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief (HADR), and counter-ing regional challenges like piracy and terrorism. It includes 25 member nations grouped into four sub-regions (South Asia, West Asia, East Africa, and Southeast Asia & Australia) and 9 observer nations. The chairmanship rotates bi-ennially, with India set to chair from 2025-2027.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was inaugurated in 2008, not 2015. The first meeting was held in New Delhi, India, in 2008, under the chairman-ship of the Indian Navy.

Statement 2 is correct: IONS is a series of biennial meetings & voluntary initiative that promotes maritime cooperation among navies of the Indian Ocean littoral states. It enhances regional security and stability by fostering dialogue, joint exercises, and naval cooperation.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) was established in 1978 and is mandated by the UN General Assembly. Its primary goal is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements and ensure adequate shelter for all. It works towards sustainable urban development, slum upgrading, and smart cities.

Statement 2 is incorrect: UN-Habitat partners with a wide range of stakeholders, including NGOs, civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector entities, and international development agencies, not just governments or local authorities.

Statement 3 is correct: UN-Habitat contributes to reducing poverty by supporting inclusive urban planning, slum rehabilitation, and sustainable housing solutions. It also promotes access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation, especially in developing countries, through initiatives like the Water and Sanitation Trust Fund.

Explanation

The Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF) is a World Bank-led initiative that helps governments develop complex infrastructure projects through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) by attracting private sector and institutional investor capital. Launched in 2014, GIF offers comprehensive project support through the combined expertise of its technical and advisory partners. This group, which includes commercial banks and institutional investors, ensures that infrastructure projects are structured effectively and are financially viable, meeting the long-term needs of governments and users. Funding partners contribute financially to the GIF. Functions:

The Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF) mobilizes private sector investment by de-risking projects and promoting innovative financing mechanisms. The GIF emphasizes sustainable infrastructure by integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, with a focus on climate-smart projects. It also builds capacity in partner countries through technical assistance and knowledge sharing. Acting as a global collaboration platform, the GIF connects governments, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), and private investors to address the infrastructure financing gap in emerging economies.

Explanation

The Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD) is an intergovernmental initiative established in 2006 under the auspices of UN-Habitat. It serves as a platform for collaboration among Asia-Pacific countries to address challenges in housing and urban development. APMCHUD is a biennial conference that convenes ministers and senior government officials from the Asia-Pacific region to discuss and exchange experiences on housing and urban development policies and strategies.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The first APMCHUD was indeed held in India (New Delhi) in 2006, but the theme mentioned in the statement is incorrect. The actual theme was "A Vision for Sustainable Urbanization in the Asia-Pacific by 2020", not "Emerging Urban Forms - Policy Responses and Governance Structure".

Statement 2 is incorrect: APMCHUD conferences are hosted by different countries in the Asia-Pacific region, not exclusively by India. It is a UN-Habitat initiative, not a partnership with ADB (Asian Development Bank), APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), or ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Since India does not host all APMCHUD meetings and the partnerships are incorrect.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) was not organized by the United Nations (UN). It was a global initiative launched by the United States under President Barack Obama in 2010 to prevent nuclear terrorism by securing nuclear materials. The summits were held in 2010 (Washington, D.C.), 2012 (Seoul), 2014 (The Hague), and 2016 (Washington, D.C.). These summits aimed at addressing nuclear terrorism and securing vulnerable nuclear materials but were independent of the UN framework. The UN, IAEA, and Interpol were involved in discussions.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) is an independent group of experts focused on policy research related to nuclear disarmament and fissile material production. It works to reduce and secure global stocks of fissile materials like highly enriched uranium and plutonium but operates as a non-governmental organization. It is not an official organ of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA deals with nuclear safeguards and monitoring, but IPFM operates separately as an independent research body.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: The Digital Single Market (DSM) Strategy is an initiative of the European Union (EU), created by EU in 2015. It is aimed at removing digital trade barriers among EU member states to create a unified and efficient digital economy. The strategy aims to remove barriers to cross-border online activities, enhance digital connectivity, and promote fair competition. The DSM Strategy is a key part of the EU’s Digital Decade Policy for global digital leadership. It focuses on three key pillars:

Improving access to digital goods and services, Creating an environment for digital networks and services to thrive, and Maximizing the growth potential of the digital economy.