India’s External Relations PYQs

Question. 1: Name the person, who was the first Indian High Commissioner in the U.K. and later head of India’s delegation to the UN. He was active in the labour party in the UK between 1934-1947.

Options:

●     K. P. S. Menon

●     V. K. Krishna Menon

●     Jawahar Lal Nehru

●  Krishan Mohan Pant

Answer: 2. V. K. Krishna Menon

Explanation: V. K. Krishna Menon was a prominent Indian diplomat and politician. He served as the Indian High Commissioner to the UK and later led the Indian delegation to the United Nations. He was known for his active involvement with the British Labour Party before India’s independence.

Question 2: In which year Britain attacked Egypt over the issue of nationalization of the Suez canal?

Options:

●     1954

●     1955

●     1956

●     1957

Answer: 3. 1956

Explanation: The Suez Crisis occurred in 1956 when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, which was under British and French control. This led to a military attack on Egypt by an alliance of Britain, France, and Israel. India, under Prime Minister Nehru, strongly condemned this invasion and played a significant diplomatic role in resolving the crisis.

Question 3: In 1955, the Afro Asian conference was held in the Indonesian City of:

Options:

●  Jakarta

●     Surabaya

●     Bandung

●     Bekasi

Answer: 3. Bandung

Explanation: The Bandung Conference, a significant precursor to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), was held in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955. It brought together leaders from 29 Asian and African countries to promote economic and cultural cooperation and to oppose colonialism.

Question 4: China ended its political and economic isolation with the establishment of relations with the United States in:

Options:

●     1971

●     1972

●     1973

●     1974

Answer: 2. 1972

Explanation: In 1972, U.S. President Richard Nixon visited China, marking a historic step in normalizing relations between the two countries. This move helped end China’s long-standing diplomatic isolation.

Question 5: Which of the following is not a feature of Indian Foreign Policy?

Options:

●     Neutrality

●     Non-Alignment

●     Opposition to Military Alliances

●     Panchsheel

Answer: 1. Neutrality

Explanation: India’s foreign policy is characterized by non-alignment, which is different from neutrality. While neutrality implies staying out of global issues, non-alignment means actively participating in world affairs without joining any major power bloc. Panchsheel (the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence) and opposition to military alliances are core tenets of this policy.

Question 6: Name the foreign minister of India in the first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru’s Cabinet.

Options:

●     Maulana Azad

●     Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel

●     Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar

●     Jawahar Lal Nehru

Answer: 4. Jawahar Lal Nehru

Explanation: In addition to being the Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru also held the portfolio of Foreign Minister. 6 This allowed him to directly shape India’s foreign policy based on his vision of non-alignment and international cooperation.

Question 7: Which Article of the Indian constitution lays down some directive principles of State policy on ‘Promotion of international peace and security’?

Options:

●     Article 51

●     Article 52

●     Article 53

●     Article 54

Answer: 1. Article 51

Explanation: Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, part of the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs the state to promote international peace and security, maintain just relations between nations, and encourage the settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

Question 8: Who is the director of the film ‘Haqeeqat’ (year 1964)? Options:

●  Sanjay Khan

●     Balraj Sahni

●     Chetan Anand

●     Jayant Karvey

Answer: 3. Chetan Anand

Explanation: ‘Haqeeqat’ is a 1964 war film directed by Chetan Anand that depicted the 1962 Sino-Indian War.

Question 9: In 1966, who made the six-point proposal for the greater autonomy of East Pakistan?

Options:

●     Jawaharlal Nehru

●     Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman

●     General Yahya Khan

●     Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Answer: 2. Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman

Explanation: Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman, the leader of the Awami League in East Pakistan, presented his historic Six-Point Program in 1966, demanding greater political, economic, and administrative autonomy for East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh.

Question 10: Which of the following countries joined SAARC in the year 2007? Options:

●  Bhutan

●     Nepal

●     Afghanistan

●     Bangladesh

Answer: 3. Afghanistan

Explanation:    Afghanistan    became the eighth member  of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) during the 14th summit in 2007.

Question 11: Which of the following countries is not included in South Asia ?

Options:

●  Pakistan

●     China

●     Bangladesh

●     Nepal

Answer: 2. China

Explanation: While China is a major neighbor, it is geographically and politically considered part of East Asia, not South Asia. The South Asian region typically includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan.

Question 12: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was established in: Options:

●  1951

●     1953

●     1955

●     1957

Answer: 4. 1957

Explanation: The IAEA was established in 1957 as an autonomous organization. It seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose. 11

Question 13: The Tashkent Agreement was signed in the year: Options:

●  1965

●     1966

●     1967

●     1968

Answer: 2. 1966

Explanation: The Tashkent Agreement was a peace treaty signed between India and Pakistan in January 1966 to resolve the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

Question 14: Which of the following pairs of countries signed Panchsheel?

Options:

●  India-Pakistan

●     India-Nepal

●     India-China

●     India-Sri Lanka

Answer: 3. India-China

Explanation: The Panchsheel Agreement, or the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, was signed between India and China in 1954. These principles were intended to govern their relationship.

Question 15: The first Nuclear test was conducted in India in the year: Options:

●  1972

●     1974

●     1975

●     1976

Answer: 2. 1974

Explanation: India conducted its first nuclear test, codenamed “Smiling Buddha,” in Pokhran, Rajasthan, in May 1974. India described it as a “peaceful nuclear explosion.”

Question 16: The first summit of NAM was held at:

Options:

●     Belgrade

●     New Delhi

●     Cairo

●     Havana

Answer: 1. Belgrade

Explanation: The first summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1961.

Question 17: Arrange the following events in the correct sequence.

●     (A) Establishment of ASEAN

●     (B) China takeover of Tibet

●     (C) Open door policy adopted in China (D) End of Second World War

●     (E) European Union was established

Options:

●  (A), (C), (D), (B), (E)

●     (D), (A), (B), (E), (C)

●     (A), (B), (C), (D), (E)

●     (D), (B), (A), (C), (E)

Answer: 4. (D), (B), (A), (C), (E)

Explanation: The correct chronological order is:

(D) End of Second World War (1945)

(B) China’s takeover of Tibet (1950-51)

(A) Establishment of ASEAN (1967)

(C) Open door policy adopted in China (late 1970s)

(E)  European Union was established (Treaty of Maastricht signed in 1992, effective 1993)

Question 18: Which of the following is the major issue between the governments of Bangladesh and India?

Options:

●     Terrorism

●     River water dispute

●     Economic Relations

●     Infiltration

Answer: 2. River water dispute

Explanation: The sharing of water from trans-boundary rivers, particularly the Ganga and Teesta, has been a long-standing and major issue in the relationship between India and Bangladesh.

Question 19: India’s conflict with Pakistan is over strategic issues like: Options:

●  Import natural gas from Afghanistan

●     Role of non regional powers in South Asia

●     India’s demand for permanent seat in Security Council

●     Control of the Siachen glacier 16 Answer: 4. Control of the Siachen glacier

Explanation: The Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram range is a major point of contention and a  strategic issue  between  India and Pakistan, leading to a long-running military standoff.

Question 20: Who among the following had highlighted the issue of Tibet?

Options:

●  Sardar Patel

●     Mahatma Gandhi

●     Pt. Nehru

●     Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Answer: 1. Sardar Patel

Explanation: While Nehru was dealing with the issue diplomatically, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had written a detailed letter to him in 1950, warning about China’s intentions regarding Tibet and advising a more cautious and firm approach.

Question 21: The main objectives of Nehru’s foreign policy were:

Objectives:

(A) To preserve the hard-earned sovereignty

(B) To form an alliance with US

(C) To protect territorial integrity To promote rapid economic development

(D) To form an alliance with USSR

Options:

●  (A), (C) & (D) only

●     (A), (B) & (D) only

●     (B), (D) & (E) only

●     (C), (D) & (E) only

Answer: 1. (A), (C) & (D) only

Explanation: Nehru’s foreign policy was fundamentally about preserving India’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity, and promoting its economic development. Forming alliances with either the US or the USSR was contrary to the core principle of non-alignment.

Question 22: What were the reasons for the Chinese invasion of India in 1962?

Reasons: (A) The Tibet issue (B) India’s foreign policy of non-alignment (C) Boundary dispute India’s nuclear program

Options:

(A) & (C) only

(B) & (D) only

(B) & (C) only

(A) & (D) only

Answer: 1. (A) & (C) only

Explanation: The two primary reasons for the 1962 war were a long-standing boundary dispute over the Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh regions, and the issue of Tibet, especially after India granted asylum to the Dalai Lama in 1959.

Question 23: Bandung Conference led to the establishment of:

Options:

ASEAN

Non-Aligned Movement SAARC

BRICS

Answer: 2. Non-Aligned Movement

Explanation: The principles articulated at the 1955 Bandung Conference were instrumental in the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which was formally established in 1961.

Question 24: When did the Dalai Lama cross over into India? Options:

1956

1957

1958

1959

Answer: 4. 1959

Explanation: Following a failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama fled Tibet and was granted political asylum in India in 1959.

Question 25: (I: Match List – I (Events) with List – II (Years)

Options:

(A) – (I), (B) – (IV), (C) – (III), (D) – (II)

(A) – (II), (B) – (III), (C) – (IV), (D) – (I)

(A) – (III), (B) – (II), (C) – (I), (D) – (IV)

(A) – (IV), (B) – (I), (C) – (II), D – (III)

Answer: 2. (A) – (II), (B) – (III), (C) – (IV), (D) – (I)

Explanation:

(A)  Shimla Agreement – 1972 (signed after the 1971 Indo-Pak war)

(B)  Tashkent Agreement – 1966 (signed after the 1965 Indo-Pak war)

(C)  Panchsheel Agreement – 1954 (signed between India and China)

First Nuclear Test – 1974 (India’s first “peaceful” nuclear explosion

Now some questions related to chapter that might be asked in exam and to check your learning

Here are the multiple-choice questions from the chapter “India’s External Relations”:

Multiple Choice Questions

1.     Which of the following countries was NOT a core leader of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) along with India?

a)  Ghana

b)  Egypt

c)  South Africa

d)  Yugoslavia

2.     Jawaharlal Nehru served as India’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during which period?

a)  1947-1962

b)  1946-1964

c)  1950-1960

d)  1947-1970

3.     What were the three major objectives of Nehru’s foreign policy?

a)  Promoting capitalism, military alliances, and internal security.

b)  Preserving sovereignty, protecting territorial integrity, and promoting rapid economic development.

c)  Establishing regional dominance, opposing communism, and fostering cultural exchange.

d)  Joining the UN Security Council, acquiring nuclear weapons, and forming strong military blocs.

4.     Which Article of the Indian Constitution lays down Directive Principles of State Policy on ‘Promotion of international peace and security’?

a)  Article 49

b)  Article 50

c)  Article 51

d)  Article 52

5.     India convened the Asian Relations Conference in which year?

a)  March 1947

b)  August 1947

c)  1949

d)  1955

6.     The Afro-Asian conference held in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955, primarily led to the establishment of which movement?

a)  SAARC

b)  ASEAN

c)  Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

d)  G-77

7.     When was the first summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held and in which city?

 (a) 1955, Bandung

a)  1961, Belgrade

b) 1964, Cairo

c)  1973, Algiers

8.     India was one of the first countries to recognize the communist government of China after its revolution in which year?

a)  1947

b)  1948

c)  1949

d)  1950

9.     The Panchsheel, or Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, were jointly enunciated by India and China on what date?

a)  29 April 1954

b)  15 August 1947

c)  26 January 1950

d)  20 October 1962

10.  China took over control of Tibet in which year?

a)  1949

b)  1950

c)  1954

d)  1958

11.  The Dalai Lama sought and obtained political asylum in India in which year?

a)  1956

b)  1958

c)  1959

d)  1962

12.  Which two regions were primarily disputed by China within Indian territory leading to the 1962 war?

a)  Sikkim and Bhutan

b)  Aksai-chin (Ladakh) and NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh)

c)  Punjab and Rajasthan

d)  Kashmir Valley and Jammu

13.  In which month and year did China launch a “swift and massive invasion” on disputed regions of India, coinciding with the Cuban Missile Crisis?

a)  August 1961

b)  October 1962

c)  November 1962

d)  September 1965

14.  Who was India’s Defence Minister who had to resign after the 1962 India-China war?

a)  Lal Bahadur Shastri

b)  V.K. Krishna Menon

c)  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

d)  Morarji Desai

15.  In which year were full diplomatic relations between India and China restored after the

1962 war?

a)  1964

b)  1971

c)  1976

d)  1979

16.  The Communist Party of India (CPI) split in 1964, leading to the formation of which new party?

a)  Bharatiya Jan Sangh

b)  Swatantra Party

c)  Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M)

d)  Socialist Party

17.  The dispute over Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan started immediately after:

a)  The 1962 Sino-Indian War

b)  The 1965 Indo-Pak War

c)  Partition in 1947

d)  The 1971 Bangladesh War

18.  The Indus Waters Treaty, regarding the sharing of river waters between India and Pakistan, was signed in which year?

a)  1947

b)  1950

c)  1960

d)  1965

19.  Who signed the Tashkent Agreement in January 1966 after the 1965 Indo-Pak war?

a)  Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah

b)  Lal Bahadur Shastri and General Ayub Khan

c)  Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhuflo

d)  Morarji Desai and General Zia-ul-Haq

20.  In 1970, Pakistan faced its biggest internal crisis leading to the Bangladesh War. Which leader’s Awami League swept the elections in East Pakistan?

a)  Zulfikar Ali Bhuflo

b)  Yahya Khan

c)  Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

d)  Muhammad Ali Jinnah

21.  How many refugees from East Pakistan took shelter in India during 1971?

a)  About 20 lakh

b)  About 50 lakh

c)  About 80 lakh

d)  About 1 crore

22.  To counter the US-Pakistan-China axis during the 1971 crisis, India signed a 20-year Treaty of Peace and Friendship with which country?

a)  United States

b)  France

c)  Soviet Union

d)  Britain

23.  The Shimla Agreement was signed on 3 July 1972 between Indira Gandhi and which Pakistani leader?

a)  General Ayub Khan

b)  General Yahya Khan

c)  Zulfikar Ali Bhuflo

d)  Pervez Musharraf

24.  The Kargil conflict took place in which months of 1999?

a)  January and February

b)  March and April

c)  May and June

d)  July and August

25.  What significant development concerning India and Pakistan drew worldwide aflention to the Kargil conflict?

a)  Both countries became members of the UN Security Council.

b)  Both countries had aflained nuclear capability one year prior.

c)  Both countries signed a new peace treaty.

d)  Both countries joined a military alliance.

26.  Which political party/group in India believed India should be more friendly with the US bloc due to its pro-democracy stance?

a)  Communist Party of India (CPI)

b)  Socialist Party

c)  Bharatiya Jan Sangh and Swatantra Party

d)  Congress Party

27.  Who was the film director of ‘Haqeeqat’, a Hindi war film set in the backdrop of the 1962 China war?

a)  Raj Kapoor

b)  Chetan Anand

c)  Guru Dufl

d)  Bimal Roy

28.  Which Indian Prime Minister was the first top-level leader (as External Affairs Minister) to visit China in 1979 after diplomatic relations were restored?

a)  Jawaharlal Nehru

b)  Indira Gandhi

c)  Atal Bihari Vajpayee

d)  Rajiv Gandhi

29.  Which of the following describes India’s stance on the Suez Canal issue in 1956 when Britain aflacked Egypt?

a)  India supported Britain’s action.

b)  India remained neutral.

c)  India led the world protest against the invasion.

d)  India joined the US condemnation.

30.  In 1956, when the USSR invaded Hungary, what was India’s stance?

a)  India publicly condemned the invasion.

b)  India remained neutral.

c)  India supported the USSR’s action.

d)  India joined the US in condemning the invasion.

Answers and Explanations

1.     Correct Answer: c) South Africa

○      Explanation: The core leadership of NAM is identified as Nehru (India), Nkrumah (Ghana), Nasser (Egypt), Sukarno (Indonesia), and Tito (Yugoslavia). South Africa was not among the core leaders at its inception.

2.     Correct Answer: b) 1946-1964

○      Explanation: The chapter states that Nehru was both Prime Minister and Foreign Minister from 1946 until his death in 1964.

3.     Correct Answer: b) Preserving sovereignty, protecting territorial integrity, and promoting rapid economic development.

○      Explanation: The chapter explicitly lists these three objectives as central to Nehru’s foreign policy.

4.     Correct Answer: c) Article 51

○      Explanation: The chapter references Article 51 of the Indian Constitution regarding the promotion of international peace and security.

5.     Correct Answer: a) March 1947

○      Explanation: India organized the Asian Relations Conference in March 1947, even before its independence in August 1947.

6.     Correct Answer: c) Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

○      Explanation: The Bandung Conference in 1955 was a significant step towards the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement.

7.     Correct Answer: b) 1961, Belgrade

○      Explanation: The first NAM summit took place in Belgrade in 1961.

8.     Correct Answer: c) 1949

○      Explanation: India recognised the communist government of China shortly after the Chinese Revolution in 1949.

9.     Correct Answer: a) 29 April 1954

○      Explanation: The Panchsheel agreement was signed on April 29, 1954, between India and China.

10.  Correct Answer: b) 1950

○      Explanation: China asserted control over Tibet in 1950, which became a point of tension with India.

11.  Correct Answer: c) 1959

○      Explanation: The Dalai Lama fled Tibet and was granted asylum in India in 1959, further straining India-China relations.

12.  Correct Answer: b) Aksai-chin (Ladakh) and NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh)

○      Explanation: These two areas were the main points of contention that led to the Sino-Indian War.

13.  Correct Answer: b) October 1962

○      Explanation: China invaded India in October 1962, a time when the world’s aflention was on the Cuban Missile Crisis.

14.  Correct Answer: b) V.K. Krishna Menon

○      Explanation: V.K. Krishna Menon, then Defence Minister, faced criticism and had to resign following India’s performance in the 1962 war.

15.  Correct Answer: c) 1976

○      Explanation: Full diplomatic relations between India and China were restored in 1976.

16.  Correct Answer: c) Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M)

○      Explanation: The 1962 war exposed ideological divisions within the CPI, leading to its split in 1964 and the formation of CPI(M).

17.  Correct Answer: c) Partition in 1947

○      Explanation: The Kashmir dispute arose immediately after the partition of India in 1947.

18.  Correct Answer: c) 1960

○      Explanation: The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960.

19.  Correct Answer: b) Lal Bahadur Shastri and General Ayub Khan

○      Explanation: The Tashkent Agreement was signed by India’s Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistan’s President General Ayub Khan.

20.  Correct Answer: c) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

○      Explanation: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League won overwhelmingly in East Pakistan in the 1970 elections.

21.  Correct Answer: c) About 80 lakh

○      Explanation: The influx of approximately 80 lakh refugees into India from East Pakistan put immense pressure on India’s resources.

22.  Correct Answer: c) Soviet Union

○      Explanation: India signed a treaty with the Soviet Union in August 1971, which was crucial during the Bangladesh crisis.

23.  Correct Answer: c) Zulfikar Ali Bhuflo

○      Explanation: The Shimla Agreement was signed by Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhuflo.

24.  Correct Answer: c) May and June

○      Explanation: The Kargil conflict occurred in May-June 1999.

25.  Correct Answer: b) Both countries had aflained nuclear capability one year prior.

○      Explanation: The fact that both India and Pakistan had conducted nuclear tests in 1998 made the Kargil conflict particularly concerning for the international community.

26.  Correct Answer: c) Bharatiya Jan Sangh and Swatantra Party

○      Explanation: These parties were generally critical of India’s pro-Soviet leanings and advocated for closer ties with the US.

27.  Correct Answer: b) Chetan Anand

○      Explanation: ‘Haqeeqat’ (1964) was directed by Chetan Anand and depicted the Sino-Indian War.

28.  Correct Answer: c) Atal Bihari Vajpayee

○      Explanation: Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as External Affairs Minister, visited China in 1979, signifying a thawing of relations.

29.  Correct Answer: c) India led the world protest against the invasion.

○      Explanation: India strongly condemned the Anglo-French invasion of Egypt over the Suez Canal.

30.  Correct Answer: b) India remained neutral.

○      Explanation: India’s response to the Hungarian crisis was marked by a more cautious and non-aligned stance, avoiding direct condemnation of the USSR.