UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2022: International Relations | UPSC Mains: International Relations PDF Download

Ans: (c)

• Bidibidi Refugee Settlement is a refugee camp in northwestern Uganda. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• With over 270,000 South Sudanese refugees fleeing the ongoing civil war, as of early 2017 Bidibidi was the largest refugee settlement in the world. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya has refugees and asylum seekers. It consists of three camps. The first camp was established in 1991, when refugees fleeing the civil war in Somalia started to cross the border into Kenya. A second large influx occurred in 2011, when some refugees arrived, fleeing drought and famine in southern Somalia. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Ans: (c)

• Organization of Turkic States (then called the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States – Turkic Council) was established in 2009 as an intergovernmental organization, with the overarching aim of promoting comprehensive cooperation among Turkic States. Its Four founding member states are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkiye. During the 7th Summit held in Baku in October 2019, Uzbekistan joined as full member. 
• Hungary received observer status at the Organization during its 6th Summit in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic in September 2018. And in lately in the 8th Summit held in November 2021, Turkmenistan joined as an Observer Member to the Organization. Armenia, Croatia and Romania are not members of the Organization of Turkic States. Hence, option (c) is correct.

Ans: (d)

• All statements are correct. Under limits of the territorial sea every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baselines determined in accordance with this Convention. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Under INNOCENT PASSAGE IN THE TERRITORIAL SEA, Subject to this Convention, ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The exclusive economic zone is an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea, subject to the specific legal regime established in this Part, under which the rights and jurisdiction of the coastal State and the rights and freedoms of other States are governed by the relevant provisions of this Convention. Under this the exclusive economic zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Ans: (b)

• Senkaku island is not an artificial island but a natural occuring island. It is a group of Eight uninhabited islands. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• The Senkaku Island dispute concerns a territorial dispute over a group of uninhabited islands known between China and Japan. Both Japan and China claim ownership of these islands. Senkaku island lies in the East China Sea. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The US did not establish the permanent military bases over the senkaku island but joint military exercises have been conducted between the US and Japan Military forces. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
• International court of justice has not given any verdict like No man's land regarding Senkaku Island. Hence statement 4 is not correct.

Ans: (c)

• Military leaders in Guinea have detained the president and declared the government to be dissolved and the constitution to be suspended.

Lebanon: Severe and prolonged economic depression:

• Lebanon is an import-dependent country. The badly damaged port facility is Lebanon’s largest maritime gateway and it will make essential items expensive and threaten food security in the country.
• Lebanon has already been struggling with a huge economic meltdown, with the rapid devaluation of the local currency and a volatile exchange rate on the black market fueling inflation, shuttering businesses, unemployment and poverty.
• It had also defaulted on a Eurobond repayment in March 2020.
• Tunisian president has suspended the PM, dissolved Parliament.

Hence, option C is correct.

Ans: (b)

• Anatolia – Turkey
• Amhara – Ethiopia
• Cabo delgado – Mozambique
• Catalonia – Spain

Hence, option B is correct.

Ans: (a)

• A Credentials Committee is appointed at the beginning of each regular session of the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA).
• It consists of nine members, who are appointed by the General Assembly on the proposal of the UNGA President. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• The Committee reports to the Assembly on the credentials of representatives The credentials of representatives and the names of members of the delegation of each Member State are submitted to the Secretary-General and are issued either by the Head of the State or Government or by the Minister for Foreign Affairs
• The Committee is mandated to examine the credentials of representatives of Member States and to report to the General Assembly thereon. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• Usually, the committee meets in November, brings the report to the General Assembly in December. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Ans: (a)

• IMO's International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) is mandatory under both the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The Polar Code covers the full range of design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue and environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in the inhospitable waters surrounding the two poles. Hence, option(a) is correct.
• The Polar Code entered into force on 1 January 2017.

Ans: (d)

• Non-Member States of the United Nations, which are members of one or more specialized agencies, can apply for the status of Permanent Observer.
• The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations and other entities Permanent Observer Status.Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.
• The status of a Permanent Observer is based purely on practice, and there are no provisions for it in the United Nations Charter.
• The practice dates from 1946, when the Secretary-General accepted the designation of the Swiss Government as a Permanent Observer to the United Nations. Observers were subsequently put forward by certain States that later became United Nations Members, including Austria, Finland, Italy, and Japan. Switzerland became a UN Member on September 10, 2002.
• Permanent Observers have free access to most meetings and relevant documentation. Many regional and international organizations are also observers in the work and annual sessions of the General Assembly.
• Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Ans: (d)

• MTCR is an informal and voluntary partnership among 35 countries to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying greater than 500 kg payload for more than 300 km.
  • India was inducted into the Missile Technology Control Regime in 2016 as the 35th member.
• AIIB is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. Membership in the AIIB is open to all members of the World Bank or the Asian Development Bank and is divided into regional and non- regional members.
  • India is the second-largest shareholder, contributing USD 8.4 billion.
• SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation. It’s a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
  • India and Pakistan joined SCO as full member on 9 June 2017.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Ans: (c)

• Vietnam is a one-party state, dominated for decades by the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). Hence, statement 2 is not correct
• According to the ‘https://statisticstimes.com’ in 2020 and 2021 Vietnam has growth rate rank 15 and 38 respectively. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The manufacturing industry is driven by several key factors. Firstly, Vietnam is touted as a low-cost manufacturer with competitive labor costs. On average, Vietnam’s labor costs are half as much as China’s labor costs.
• Since 2010, Vietnam’s currency has appreciated, and since 2015, the government has kept the Vietnamese dong (VND) stable in real terms against the dollar. Hence, statement 4 is correct.
• According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), “Despite COVID-19, Vietnam’s economy has remained resilient”. In 2020, it expanded by 2.9% and growth is projected to be 6.5% in 2021. It is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia; it has managed to pick up most of the business lost by China in the ongoing trade war with the US, whilst still establishing solid relationships with both nations. Vietnam’s economy will continue to grow and the country will play a key role in the global supply chain. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Ans: (b)

• The Climate Group is an international non-profit organization founded in 2003, which powers large networks, drive climate action fast.
• EP100 is a global initiative led by the Climate Group, bringing together over 120 energy smart businesses committed to measuring and reporting on energy efficiency improvements.
• By optimizing the energy use of their processes, products and buildings, EP100 companies are making the most of every unit of energy they consume- reducing overheads, increasing competitiveness and avoiding carbon emissions.
• Some Indian companies like - Swaraj Engins Ltd, Mahindra and Mahindra etc are members of EP100.
• Under2 Coalition is the largest global network of state and regional governments
• committed to reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. Climate Group is the Secretariat to the Under2 Coalition.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Ans: (b)

Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI)

• Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) provides quick financial assistance, which is available to all member countries facing urgent balance of payments requirements. The RFI was created as part of a broader reform to make IMF financial support more flexible to meet the diverse needs of member states. The RFI replaces the IMF's previous emergency assistance policy and can be used in a wide variety of circumstances.

Rapid Credit Facility (RCF)

• The Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) provides immediate balance of payments (BoP) requirements to low-income countries (LICs) with no ex post condition, where a full economic program is neither necessary nor feasible. RCF was set up as part of a comprehensive reform to make the fund's financial support more flexible and better suited to suit the diverse needs of LIC including times of crisis.
• There are three areas under the RCF: (i) a "regular window" for immediate BoP needs due to a wide range of sources such as household instability, emergencies and fragility (ii) for immediate BoP needs due to sudden, exogenous shocks. an “exogenous shock window” and (iii) a “large natural disaster window” for immediate BoP needs due to natural disasters where the damage is estimated to be equal to or greater than 20% of the member's GDP.

Ans: (c)
The Common Framework for Debt Treatment Beyond the DSSI (Common Framework), is an initiative supported by the G20 together with the Paris Club. Which is to support, in a structural way, low-income countries with unsustainable debt.