UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: International Relations | UPSC Mains: International Relations PDF Download

Ans: (d)
The correct answer is (D) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, an Indian diplomat and politician, has been the Minister of External Affairs of India since 2019. He wrote two notable books: The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World (2020), which explores India's foreign policy strategies, and Why Bharat Matters, a collection of his speeches and articles highlighting India's global importance.

Ans: (d)
The ninth edition of the Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023 began in Aundh, Pune, focusing on improving interoperability and coordination between the Indian and Sri Lankan armies for counter-terrorism operations. 
Conducted from November 16 to 29, 2023, the exercise includes 120 Indian personnel, primarily from the MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY Regiment, and Sri Lankan personnel from the 53 Infantry Division. Additionally, 15 Indian Air Force personnel and five Sri Lankan Air Force personnel are participating.
Thus, statement 1 is incorrect, while statements 2, 3, and 4 are correct.

Ans: (a)

Statement-I: The Sahel region is facing significant instability and a deteriorating security environment due to ongoing issues like terrorism, armed conflicts, and humanitarian crises. This statement is accurate.

Statement-II: Multiple countries in the Sahel, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad, have undergone military coups in recent years. This statement is also correct.

Statement-II explains Statement-I, as the military takeovers and coups contribute to the region's instability and worsening security. These political disruptions weaken governance, intensify conflicts, and hinder efforts to tackle security and development challenges in the Sahel.

Ans: (b)

• Argentina - Severe economic crisis: Argentina has been grappling with a profound economic crisis characterized by soaring inflation, mounting debt, and widespread poverty. This pairing is correct.
• Sudan - Conflict between regular army and paramilitary forces: Sudan is experiencing a violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group. This pairing is correct.
• Turkey - Withdrawn from NATO membership: Turkey has not left NATO. Despite occasional tensions with other NATO members, it remains part of the alliance. This pairing is incorrect.
  

Thus, only two of the three pairings are accurately matched.

Ans: (d)

• Statement-I: Incorrect. Venezuela is grappling with a profound economic crisis characterized by hyperinflation, shortages of essential goods, and political turmoil, driving a significant migration of Venezuelans to neighboring countries and beyond in search of better living conditions.
  
• Statement-II: Correct. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves, exceeding those of Saudi Arabia. However, economic mismanagement, corruption, and international sanctions have severely impaired its oil industry, preventing the country from capitalizing on this resource for economic recovery.

Ans: (c)
Statement-I: Correct. In March 2023, the European Parliament passed the Net-Zero Industry Act, which focuses on expanding the production of clean technologies within the EU.
Statement-II: Incorrect. The EU's goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, not 2040. Furthermore, while the EU seeks to enhance its clean technology manufacturing, it does not plan to develop all such technologies independently by 2050, as collaboration and some imports are expected to continue.
Thus, the correct option is (C): Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.