Ten MCQs on current International and national events - 192

PRERNA FOR IAS

(ASSOCIATE OF SAMKALP)

A-Category MCQs -192

Q1. India and Russia–Ukraine Conflict

With reference to India's diplomatic approach towards the Russia–Ukraine conflict, consider the following statements:

1. Strategic autonomy can allow India to maintain relations with competing geopolitical blocs.
2. Offering mediation necessarily requires India to abandon its bilateral relationship with either party to the conflict.
3. A limited ceasefire covering energy or agricultural infrastructure can potentially operate as a confidence-building measure.
4. The effectiveness of a peace initiative ultimately depends on whether it can address the conflicting security and territorial concerns of the parties.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation: The supplied Indian Express summary reports that Ukraine's Foreign Minister described an Indian proposal for ending the conflict as comprehensive and mentions possibilities including an energy and agricultural truce in the Black Sea and a ceasefire along the line of contact. Statement 2 is the trap. Mediation does not necessarily require abandoning relations with either side; maintaining channels with competing parties can itself provide diplomatic space. Elimination logic: strategic autonomy is about independent decision-making, not diplomatic isolation. Ultimately, a proposal matters only if the parties themselves can reconcile fundamental security and territorial disagreements.

Q2. India–U.S. Trade Negotiations

Consider the following statements:

1. A bilateral trade agreement can involve issues beyond customs tariffs.
2. Agriculture, strategic industries and regulatory standards may become sensitive negotiating issues.
3. A strategic partnership necessarily guarantees convergence of commercial interests.
4. Energy-security considerations can interact with contemporary trade negotiations.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only