Question 1

Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation:
1. The 'Colombo Process' is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus.
2. The 'Abu Dhabi Dialogue' is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility.
3. The 'Global Forum for Migration and Development', created upon the proposal of a former UN Secretary General, is a voluntary forum whose decisions are non-binding in nature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. * Statement 1 is incorrect: The Colombo Process is a Regional Consultative Process managing overseas employment for Asian labor-sending countries. Its forums and outputs are advisory and consultative, not legally binding. * Statement 2 is correct: The Abu Dhabi Dialogue (established in 2008) acts as a voluntary, non-binding platform that coordinates labor-sending and labor-destination states to smooth contractual labor mobility. * Statement 3 is correct: The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) was set up in 2006 on the proposal of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as an informal, state-led, non-binding platform. * Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Question 2

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:
List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment):
A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory
B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre
C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate
D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility
List II (Location):
1. NOIDA
2. Bengaluru
3. Colombo
4. Thimphu

Accepted Answer

A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4. * A - 4: The BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory is situated in Thimphu, Bhutan, to promote regional cultural heritage. * B - 2: The BIMSTEC Energy Centre is located in Bengaluru, India, to coordinate power grids and energy information sharing. * C - 1: The BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate is situated in NOIDA, India, focusing on advanced weather modeling and climate data. * D - 3: The BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility is established in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to handle technical capacity building. * This yields combination (c): 4, 2, 1, 3.

Question 3

Consider the following countries:
I. Austria
II. Bulgaria
III. Croatia
IV. Serbia
V. Sweden
VI. North Macedonia

How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?

Accepted Answer

Only three. * NATO's active alliance membership recently reached 32 sovereign nations. * Items II (Bulgaria, joined 2004), III (Croatia, joined 2009), V (Sweden, joined 2024 as the 32nd member), and VI (North Macedonia, joined 2020) are verified members. * Items I (Austria) and IV (Serbia) are neutral and are not members of NATO. * Therefore, exactly four of the listed nations are members.

Question 4

Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC:
I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.
II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.
III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.
IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of 'tourism' is being led by India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

I and IV. * Statement I is correct: BIMSTEC comprises seven Member States (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Nepal). * Statement II is not correct: It was established on 06 June 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration, not the Dhaka Declaration of 1999. * Statement III is not correct: The founding member states were Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand (initially BIST-EC); Nepal joined later in February 2004. * Statement IV is not correct: Reorganized in 2021, India leads the Security sector, while Nepal is the lead country for the Tourism subsector.

Question 5

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:
I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

I and II. * Statement I is correct: The 16th BRICS Summit took place in Kazan with Russia as the chair, marking the first summit with expanded membership. * Statement II is correct: Indonesia officially joined BRICS as a full member, announced by Brazil, the holder of the 2025 BRICS presidency. * Statement III is not correct: The actual theme of the summit was "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security," using the word multilateralism, not multiculturalism.

Question 6

Consider the following statements:
1. India is a member of the International Grains Council.
2. A country needs to be a member of the International Grains Council for exporting or importing rice and wheat.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 only. * Statement 1 is correct: India is a formal signatory to the International Grains Agreement, 1995, and functions as an active exporting member country within the International Grains Council (IGC). * Statement 2 is incorrect: Membership in the International Grains Council is a voluntary intergovernmental forum for information sharing and market analysis; it is not a mandatory legal prerequisite for any nation to engage in the global import or export trade of wheat and rice.

International Relations: Regional Groupings & Alliances PYQ.

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