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BPSC 2017 — International Relations Questions with Answers

All 9 International Relations previous-year questions from BPSC 2017, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.International Groupings

   With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements: 1. The first summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009. 2. South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: The first BRIC summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009, not Rio de Janeiro, so statement 1 is wrong. South Africa joined in 2010, becoming the last member and turning BRIC into BRICS, so statement 2 is correct.

2. Q2.International Groupings

   With reference to a grouping of countries, the term 'BIMSTEC' is sometimes seen in the news. Which one of the following best describes its purpose, and to which region do its members belong? (Members are countries around which water body?)

   • a)World Economic Forum
   • b)UN Human Rights Council
   • c)UN Women
   • d)World Health Organization

   Explanation: BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) groups countries dependent on the Bay of Bengal region for regional cooperation. Hence option (a).

3. Q3.Trade Agreements

   With reference to the 'Trans-Pacific Partnership', consider the following statements: 1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia. 2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1, 2 and 3
   • b)1 and 3 only
   • c)2 and 3 only
   • d)1 only

   Explanation: The Trans-Pacific Partnership did not include all Pacific Rim countries (many, including several in Asia and the Americas, were not members), so statement 1 is wrong. It was a comprehensive trade and economic agreement, not a maritime-security alliance, so statement 2 is wrong. Hence neither is correct.

4. Q4.International Groupings

   The term 'Digital Single Market Strategy' seen in the news refers to:

   • a)ASEAN
   • b)BRICS
   • c)EU
   • d)G20

   Explanation: The Digital Single Market Strategy is an initiative of the European Union to ensure free movement of goods, persons, services, and capital in the digital domain across member states. Hence option (c).

5. Q5.International Conferences

   With reference to 'Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD)', consider the following statements: 1. The first APMCHUD was held in India in 2006 on the theme 'Emerging Urban Forms - Policy Responses and Governance Structure'. 2. India hosts all the Annual Ministerial Conferences in partnership with ADB, APEC and ASEAN. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: The first APMCHUD was held in New Delhi, India, in 2006 on the stated theme, so statement 1 is correct. India does not host all the conferences; they are held in different countries, so statement 2 is wrong. Only statement 1 is correct.

6. Q6.India and Neighbours

   With reference to the 'Indus Waters Treaty', consider the following statements: 1. The treaty was signed in 1960 with the mediation of the World Bank. 2. Under the treaty, the waters of the western rivers were allocated to Pakistan and the eastern rivers to India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 with the World Bank as a mediator (statement 1 correct), allocating the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) largely to Pakistan and the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India (statement 2 correct). Both are correct.

7. Q7.International Organisations

   With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? 1. UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all. 2. Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only. 3. UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   • a)1, 2 and 3
   • b)1 and 3 only
   • c)2 and 3 only
   • d)1 only

   Explanation: UN-Habitat is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote sustainable towns and shelter for all (statement 1 correct) and contributes to poverty reduction and access to water and sanitation (statement 3 correct). Its partners include not only governments and local authorities but also NGOs and others, so statement 2 is wrong. Hence 1 and 3 only.

8. Q8.Maritime Cooperation

   Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy. 2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: The inaugural IONS was held in 2008, not 2015, so statement 1 is wrong. IONS is indeed a voluntary initiative to enhance maritime cooperation among Indian Ocean littoral navies, so statement 2 is correct. Only statement 2 is correct.

9. Q9.Trade Agreements

   'Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and:

   • a)European Union
   • b)Gulf Cooperation Council
   • c)Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
   • d)Shanghai Cooperation Organization

   Explanation: The Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) refers to the free trade agreement being negotiated between India and the European Union. Hence option (a).