Correct Answer: 2) A, C, B, D
Explanation:
A) United Nations – 1945: India became a founding member.
C) NAM – 1961: India was a co-founder; Nehru played a key role.
B) G77 – 1964: India joined to support developing countries.
D) G20 – 1999: India became a member from the beginning.

ANS: 3) 2008
Explanation:
• (3) 2008: This is the correct option. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited China in 2008.
• During this visit, several agreements were signed to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as trade, commerce, and strategic affairs.

Correct Answer: 2) China
Explanation:
• (2) China: This is the correct option. India signed the declaration, “to promote the building of a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity through developing the strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity” with China.
• This declaration reflects the commitment of both countries to develop a strategic and cooperative partnership aimed at achieving durable peace and common prosperity.

Correct Answer: 2) A & C
Explanation:
A – True: India was the first non-socialist country to establish diplomatic ties with China on 1 April 1950.
B – False: Nehru visited China in 1954 during the signing of the Panchsheel Agreement.
C – True: India-China relations started improving from 1988 onwards with Rajiv Gandhi’s visit.
D – False: Rajiv Gandhi visited China in 1988, not 1993.

Correct Answer: 2) India- United States
Explanation:
• India-United States: This is the correct option.
• India and the United States have engaged in joint naval patrols since 2002 in the Malacca Straits to ensure maritime security and combat piracy and other threats in one of the world’s busiest and strategically important waterways.
• Thus, 2 is the right option.

Correct Answer: 2) Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A
Explanation:
✓ A is correct: India has welcomed refugees from Tibet, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Myanmar, etc.
✓ R is also correct: India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and lacks a formal refugee law.
✗ But R does not explain A: India’s refuge tradition is based more on historical, cultural, and humanitarian values, not legal obligations.

Correct Answer: 1) A, B & C
Explanation:
✓ A is correct: India established ties with the European Economic Community (EEC) in the early 1960s.
✓ B is correct: India–EU relations were upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2004.
✓ C is correct: The EU is a major source of FDI and trade partner for India.
✗ D is incorrect: The EU is not a UN member state; it holds observer status at the UN General Assembly.

Correct Answer: 1) Sagar Panchayat
Explanation:
◦ Sagar Panchayat is a proposed initiative to foster cooperation among Indian Ocean Rim countries, focused on maritime security, capacity building, and rule of law at sea.
◦ The idea was suggested by C. Uday Bhaskar in 2020 and gained attention in strategic discourse.
◦ It envisions India taking a leadership role in forming a regional maritime forum.

Other Options (for clarity):
◦ Milan: A multilateral naval exercise hosted by India.
◦ Project Mausam: Cultural and historical maritime linkages project.
◦ Malabar Exercise: Naval exercise between India, the US, Japan, and Australia (QUAD).

Correct Answer: 3) 2005
Explanation:
◦ The Open Skies Agreement between India and the USA was signed in January 2005.
◦ It allows unrestricted flight operations between both countries—no limits on frequency, capacity, or pricing.
◦ This boosted air connectivity and economic ties between India and the U.S., aligning with India’s broader liberalization and global engagement strategy.

Correct Answer: 1) Both Statement I and Statement II are true
Explanation:
Statement I is true – National security includes protecting territorial integrity and sovereignty, which is legally and constitutionally mandated.
Statement II is also true – India also enhances security through strategic dialogues and partnerships with key global powers (e.g., QUAD, Indo-US dialogue, Indo-France cooperation).
Both defense and diplomacy are part of India’s comprehensive national security strategy.

Correct Answer: 2) 1962 Sino-India War
Explanation:
◦ The Henderson-Brooks Report reviewed the failures of the Indian Army during the 1962 war with China.
◦ It analyzed operational and strategic lapses and blamed both civil and military leadership.
◦ The report remains classified due to national security reasons.
It’s a key document in understanding India’s military shortcomings during the Sino-Indian conflict.

Correct Answer: 2) Stephen Cohen
Explanation:
◦ Stephen Cohen analyzed Indian foreign policy and identified three forms of Nehruvianism:
1) Classical Nehruvianism – Original ideas of Nehru: non-alignment, peace, and democratic socialism.
2) Militant Nehruvianism – A tougher stance post-1962 war, especially under Indira Gandhi.
3) Post-Cold War Nehruvianism – Adaptation to new global realities after 1991, with more economic openness and strategic partnerships.
Cohen’s work, especially in “India: Emerging Power” (2001), outlines these schools of thought.

Correct Answer: 4) Narasimha Rao
Explanation: ▪ The Look East Policy was adopted during the government of Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in India.
▪ It was a significant shift in India’s foreign policy approach towards countries in Southeast Asia. The policy aimed to strengthen India’s political, economic, and cultural ties with these nations and enhance regional cooperation.
▪ P.V. Narasimha Rao unveil the ‘Look East Policy’ in Singapore, through his lecture in September 1994 (PYQ 2018).

Correct Answer: 1) A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
Explanation:
Thinker Contribution / Determinant
K. J. Holsti Known for the idea of “National Role Conceptions”—how states view their roles in international affairs.
Jonathan Mercer Emphasizes how emotion and cognition work together in foreign policy decisions.
Janice Gross Stein Highlights the “process of political learning”, e.g., in Gorbachev’s policy shift.
Arnold Wolfers Described “National Security” as an “ambiguous symbol”, warning of its vague use in policy justification.

Correct Answer: 2) A, C, D, E only
Explanation:
A — Correct: The Swatantra Party indeed offered a classical conservative view on foreign and domestic policies during the 1960s.
B — Incorrect: It was C. Rajagopalachari, not I.K. Gujral, who led the Swatantra Party. I.K. Gujral is associated with the Gujral Doctrine in foreign policy, but not with the Swatantra Party.
C — Correct: The Swatantra Party was supported by former bureaucrats, business elites, and members of princely states.
D — Correct: They opposed Nehru’s Fabian socialism and preferred a market-oriented economy.
E — Correct: They favored market forces and private enterprise, distinguishing them from Nehruvian socialism.
This aligns with Stephen Cohen’s classification of Conservative Realists in Indian foreign policy thought.

Correct Answer: 2) A and C only
Explanation:
According to the 5 official criteria for NAM membership, a country:
Should support national independence movements ➤ ✓ (A is correct)
Should not be a member of multilateral military alliances in the context of great power conflicts ➤ ✗ (B is incorrect)
Should have adopted an independent foreign policy based on peaceful coexistence and nonalignment ➤ ✓ (C is correct)
If it has granted military bases, it must not be in the context of great power conflicts ➤ ✗ (D is incorrect as worded)
Thus, only A and C align with the NAM criteria.

Correct Answer: 1) Both Statement I and Statement II are true
Explanation:
◦ Statement I is true:
India’s foreign policy is shaped by post-colonial concerns like territorial integrity, nationhood, and strategic autonomy (independence of decision-making). These stem from the legacy of colonialism and ongoing border disputes with neighbors like China and Pakistan.

◦ Statement II is also true:
During the Cold War, the global bipolarity (U.S. vs. USSR) influenced regional alignments. Pakistan aligned with the U.S. (SEATO, CENTO), while India leaned towards the Soviet Union, though officially non-aligned. This created a regional bipolar dynamic mirroring the global one.
Thus, both statements are accurate within their respective analytical lenses:
◦ Statement I = Post-colonial sovereignty lens
◦ Statement II = Alliance pressures lens

Correct Answer: 4) A and B only
Explanation:
Statement A – Incorrect
India did offer support for the US anti-terrorism mission in Afghanistan, even going as far as offering military base access. So, this is not an example of India opposing/supporting in a way contrary to the US — hence, not included in opposition.
Statement B – Incorrect
India did not express opposition to the US withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. It maintained strategic silence, making this not an act of opposition — again, not included in the list of supportive initiatives.
Statement C – Correct
India voted with the US at the IAEA in 2005 against Iran, stating Iran was non-compliant with the NPT. This was a clear supportive act in alignment with US interests.
Thus, A and B are not included in the list of supportive initiatives — they are either false claims or acts not aligned with opposition, making Option 4 the most appropriate answer.

Ans: 4) South Sudan
Explanation:
◦ Currently, there are a total 120 NAM Member Countries.
◦ Currently every African country (except South Sudan) is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
◦ There are 53 Countries from – Africa, 39 – from Asia, 26 – from Latin America & Caribbean, and 2 – from Europe.

Correct Answer: 1) Jawaharlal Nehru
Explanation:
This quote reflects Jawaharlal Nehru’s early diplomatic vision and his approach to the Soviet Union even before India’s independence.
In a radio broadcast on 7 September 1946, Nehru emphasized India’s geographic and strategic closeness to the USSR, stating the importance of cooperation.
This was before the Cold War fully developed, showing Nehru’s non-aligned, yet pragmatic approach to global powers.
Thus, the statement was made by Jawaharlal Nehru, making Option 1 the correct answer.

Correct Answer: 1) To end nuclear testing
Explanation:
◦ The Six-Nation Peace Initiative (1984–85) included India, Argentina, Greece, Sweden, Mexico, and Tanzania.
◦ It was aimed at promoting nuclear disarmament and ending the arms race, especially during heightened Cold War tensions.
◦ Rajiv Gandhi played a significant role in this global initiative after Indira Gandhi laid the foundation in 1984.
◦ The focus was nuclear disarmament, opposing nuclear testing by major powers like the US and USSR.
◦ Hence, the campaign was to end nuclear testing, making Option 1 correct.

Correct Answer: 2) U.S. – India Peaceful Atomic Energy Co-operation Act
Explanation:
◦ The Hyde Act refers to the Henry J. Hyde U.S.–India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006.
◦ It was passed by the U.S. Congress in December 2006 to allow civilian nuclear cooperation with India, which was not a signatory to the NPT.
◦ This Act paved the way for the 123 Agreement—the operational agreement between India and the U.S. to begin nuclear trade.
◦ It marked a milestone in India–U.S. strategic relations, lifting the decades-old nuclear isolation of India.
So, Option 2 is the correct and most appropriate answer.

Correct Answer: 2) A, B, D only
Explanation:
The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (Panchsheel), agreed upon between India and China in 1954, are:
1) Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty ✓
2) Mutual non-aggression ✓
3) Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs ✗ (Option C incorrectly mentions “interference”)
4) Equality and mutual benefit ✓ (Option D is a close match)
5) Peaceful coexistence ✗ (“Equal existence” in Option E is not correct)
Hence, the correct principles reflected in the options are A, B, and D, making Option 2 the correct answer.

Correct Answer: 1) January 2007
Explanation: In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an all-women contingent to a UN peacekeeping mission. The Formed Police Unit in Liberia provided 24-hour guard duty and conducted night patrols in the capital Monrovia and helped to build the capacity of the Liberian police.

Correct Answer: 3) Eastern Africa
Explanation: India’s “Extended Neighbourhood” – By 2004 the Indian government was affirming “the concept” of an extended “Extended Neighbourhood for India which stretches from the Suez Canal to the South China Sea and includes within it West Asia, the Gulf, Central Asia, South East Asia, East Asia, the Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean Region.”

Correct Answer: 2) Samanjasya (Harmony)
Explanation:
S. Jaishankar, in his speech at the UN Security Council (August 2021), outlined India’s approach to multilateralism through five core principles, commonly referred to as the Five ‘S’s:
1) Samman – Respect
2) Samvad – Dialogue
3) Sahyog – Cooperation
4) Shanti – Peace
5) Samriddhi – Prosperity
“Samanjasya” (Harmony) is not part of this framework, making Option 2 the incorrect one in the context of this question.

Ans: 1) President George W. Bush
Explanation: US President George W. Bush referred to India as “a responsible state with advanced nuclear technology“.
In a joint statement with then-Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Bush acknowledged India’s status as a nuclear power.
The statement also announced a US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, which aimed to help India meet its growing energy needs while also addressing concerns about nuclear proliferation.

Correct Answer: 1) A, B, C only
Explanation:
The core values of Indian Foreign Policy include:
A) Blend of Idealism and Realism:
India’s foreign policy balances moral principles (idealism) with pragmatic national interest (realism).
B) Value of Tolerance:
Rooted in India’s pluralistic and civilizational ethos, tolerance informs India’s peaceful and cooperative global engagement.
C) Anti-Imperialism and Anti-Colonialism:
As a country that fought colonial rule, India supports global decolonization and opposes imperialist dominance.
✗ Why other options are incorrect:
D) Territorial Expansion:
India’s foreign policy supports territorial integrity, not expansionism.
E) Neighbourhood First Diplomacy:
While it is a strategic initiative, it is not a core value. It’s an aspect of India’s regional foreign policy approach, not a foundational value.
Hence, the correct combination is A, B, C only.

Correct Answer: 1) (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV)
Explanation:
A) Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka – (II) Rajiv Gandhi
✔ Sent IPKF in 1987 to intervene in the Sri Lankan civil war.
B) Simla Agreement – (I) Indira Gandhi
✔ Signed after the 1971 India-Pakistan war, between Indira Gandhi and Z.A. Bhutto in 1972.
C) Lahore Declaration – (III) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
✔ Signed with Nawaz Sharif in 1999 to reduce nuclear tensions.
D) Act East Policy – (IV) Narendra Modi
✔ Launched in 2014 to enhance ties with ASEAN and East Asia, expanding the earlier “Look East Policy”.
So, the correct match is:
1) (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV) ✔

Correct Answer: 3) (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV)
Explanation:
1955 – Bandung Summit
1961 – Belgrade Summit
1983 – New Delhi Summit
1998 – Durban Summit

Correct Answer: 1) (A), (B), (C) and (D)
Chronological Order:
1) Indradhanush-IV – 2015 (with the United Kingdom)
2) Desert Eagle-II – 2016 (with the United Arab Emirates)
3) Table Top – October 2017 (with Bangladesh)
4) Samvedna – March 2018 (multilateral HADR exercise with India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, UAE)
These are joint air force exercises, listed in chronological order from 2015 to 2018, hence option 1 is correct ✓

Ans: 2) 2008
Explanation: The 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, also known as the 2008 Mumbai attacks, took place from November 26 to 29, 2008. A group of 10 terrorists from Pakistan conducted a series of coordinated attacks on various locations in Mumbai, including two luxury hotels, a hospital, a railway station, and a Jewish center. The attacks were one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the history of India.

Correct Answer: 1) To repatriate distressed Indian nationals from outside India
Explanation:
• Vande Bharat Mission was launched in May 2020 by the Government of India.
• Its aim was to repatriate Indian citizens stranded abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused global travel bans and lockdowns.
• The mission involved:
• Special flights (operated by Air India and other carriers),
• Naval ships under Operation Samudra Setu,
• Land border transport (for neighboring countries).
It became one of the largest civilian repatriation missions in the world.

Ans: 1) 1961
Explanation: The first NAM summit was held in 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. India became a member of NAM in 1961 and has been an active participant in the movement ever since.

Correct Answer: 4) 2014
Explanation:
• The Act East Policy was formally announced in November 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• It was unveiled at the 12th ASEAN-India Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
• The policy focuses on:
• Enhancing economic, strategic, and cultural relations with countries in Southeast Asia and East Asia.
• Strengthening connectivity, trade, and security cooperation.
• It is an upgraded version of the earlier Look East Policy launched in 1992, which primarily focused on economic integration.

Correct Answer: 2) A, B and C only
Explanation:
A) ✓ Credible Minimum Deterrent (CMD):
India’s nuclear doctrine is centered on maintaining a nuclear arsenal just sufficient to deter adversaries, not for offensive superiority.
B) ✓ Nuclear Command Authority (NCA):
This is the only body that can authorize the use of nuclear weapons. It has:
• A Political Council (headed by the PM), and
• An Executive Council (advisory body).
C) ✓ No First Use (NFU) policy:
India pledges not to use nuclear weapons against:
• Non-nuclear weapon states,
• Unless attacked by WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction).
D) ✗ Incorrect:
The Prime Minister cannot unilaterally order a nuclear strike. The NCA as a whole makes such critical decisions.
So, only A, B, and C are correct, making Option 2 the right choice.

Correct Answer: 4) – Deng Xiaoping.
Explanation : Open Door policy, statement of principles initiated by the United States in 1899 and 1900 for the protection of equal privileges among countries trading with China and in support of Chinese territorial and administrative integrity.

Correct Answer: 4) – Narendra Modi.
Explanation : Para Diplomacy as it is conducted by sub-state governments introduces the idea of decentralization of political power to make regional governments prominent actors in the international sphere.

Correct Answer: (2) – Indira Gandhi
Explanation : Peaceful Nuclear Explosion : On the morning of May 18, 1974, a nuclear device was detonated in the Rajasthan desert near Pokhran, India. This event came as a shock to the entire world. Work on a nuclear fission device had been authorized by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on September 7, 1972.

Correct Answer: (3) – A and C only
Explanation:
(A) Cold War – Bipolar ✓
Correct. The Cold War was a bipolar global power rivalry between the USA and USSR, each leading opposing ideological blocs (Capitalist vs Communist).
(B) Berlin Crisis – 1955 ✗
Incorrect. The major Berlin Crisis occurred in 1961, not 1955. It led to the construction of the Berlin Wall.
(C) Cuban Missile Crisis – 1962 ✓
Correct. The Cuban Missile Crisis happened in October 1962 and brought the world to the brink of nuclear war between the USA and USSR.
(D) Marshall Plan – Japan ✗
Incorrect. The Marshall Plan was focused on the economic recovery of Western Europe, not Japan.
Thus, only A and C are correctly matched → Option (3) is correct.

Correct Answer: (1) A and B only
Explanation:
(A) Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act – 2010 ✓
Correct. Passed in 2010, this act provides for civil liability and prompt compensation to victims in case of a nuclear incident. It introduces a no-fault liability regime.
(B) India–US Ten-Year Framework Agreement for Defence Cooperation – 2015 ✓
Correct. Signed in 2015, it extended the earlier 2005 agreement, enhancing bilateral defense ties.
(C) Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) – 2020 ✗
Incorrect. DTTI was launched in 2012, not 2020. It aims to promote co-development and co-production of defense technologies.
(D) Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) – 2019 ✗
Incorrect. BECA was signed in October 2020, not 2019. It facilitates geospatial intelligence sharing between India and the US.
So, the correct matches are A and B only → Option (1) is correct.

Correct Answer: (2) A and C only
Explanation:
(A) War on Terrorism – USA ✓
Correct. Initiated by the United States post the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, the “War on Terror” included actions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other global anti-terror operations.
(B) Maritime Silk Road – India ✗
Incorrect. The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is a part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), not India’s. India has not joined this initiative due to sovereignty concerns.
(C) Viktor Yanukovych – Ukraine ✓
Correct. He is a former President of Ukraine (2010–2014), known for his pro-Russia stance. He was ousted in 2014 during the Euromaidan protests.
(D) Line of Control – China ✗
Incorrect. The Line of Control (LoC) is the military control line between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.
The boundary between India and China is called the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Hence, the correct answer is Option (2): A and C only.

Correct Answer: (2) A and C only
Explanation:
(A) SAARC – Kathmandu ✓
✓ Correct. The SAARC Secretariat is headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal, established on 17 January 1987.
(B) Act East Policy – Narsimha Rao ✗
✗ Incorrect. Narsimha Rao initiated the Look East Policy in the 1990s.
The Act East Policy is an upgraded version of that, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014.
(C) Neighbourhood First Policy – Narendra Modi ✓
✓ Correct. The Neighbourhood First Policy is a key element of Modi’s foreign policy, focusing on prioritizing relations with South Asian neighbors.
(D) Asian Infrastructure Bank – Kualalampur ✗
✗ Incorrect. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is headquartered in Beijing, China, not Kuala Lumpur.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option (2) – A and C only.

Correct Answer: (2) – B, D, A, C.
Explanation :
Tashkent Agreement : 1966
Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation : 1971
Lahore Declaration : 1993
Indo-US Civil Nuclear Co-operation Agreement : 2005

Correct Answer: (2) – A and B only
Explanation:
(A) Hydropower Diplomacy – Nepal ✓
✓ Correct. Nepal has been using its hydropower surplus, especially after the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW), to engage in energy trade and diplomacy, particularly with India.
(B) Basic Group – China ✓
✓ Correct. The BASIC group consists of Brazil, South Africa, India, and China, formed to coordinate climate change negotiations.
(C) Group of 77 – USA ✗
✗ Incorrect. The Group of 77 is a coalition of developing countries, established in 1964 to promote collective economic interests. The USA is not a member.
(D) BIMSTEC – Pakistan ✗
✗ Incorrect. Pakistan is not a member of BIMSTEC. Members include India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option (2) – A and B only.

Correct Answer: (2) – A and C only
Explanation:
(A) ONGC Videsh – South China Sea ✓
✓ Correct. ONGC Videsh (the overseas arm of ONGC) has exploration rights in the South China Sea, particularly in a block off the coast of Vietnam, where China also claims overlapping territory.
(B) War on Terror – GCC ✗
✗ Incorrect. The War on Terror is a term for the U.S.-led global campaign post-9/11, not something specifically related to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
(C) Military Strength – Element of national power ✓
✓ Correct. Military strength is indeed considered a core element of national power, alongside diplomacy, economic power, and soft power.
(D) The Silent Spring – Kenneth Boulding ✗
✗ Incorrect. The Silent Spring was written by Rachel Carson, not Kenneth Boulding. It’s a landmark book in the environmental movement, published in 1962.
So, the correct option is (2) – A and C only.

Correct Answer: (2) – D, C, A, B.
Explanation:
Indus Water Treaty – 1960
Shimla Accord – 1972
Lahore Declaration – 1993
Agra Summit – 2001

Correct Answer: (C) – Narendra Modi.
Explanation : Under the “Act East Policy” the government of India is relying on the 3 C’s, that is; Culture, Connectivity and Commerce to develop better relations with ASEAN nations through the North Eastern region of India.

Correct Answer: (1) – A and C only
Explanation:
(A) Operation Raahat – Yemen ✓
✓ Correct. Operation Raahat was carried out in 2015 to evacuate Indian and foreign nationals from war-torn Yemen during the Saudi-led military intervention.
(B) Vande Bharat Mission – Sri Lanka ✗
✗ Incorrect. The Vande Bharat Mission was a global repatriation initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, not specific to Sri Lanka.
(C) Operation Maitri – Nepal ✓
✓ Correct. Operation Maitri was India’s humanitarian and disaster relief mission to assist Nepal after the 2015 earthquake.
(D) Operation Sukoon – Iraq ✗
✗ Incorrect. Operation Sukoon was launched during the 2006 Lebanon War, not in Iraq. It involved the evacuation of Indian and other nationals from Lebanon.
Final Answer: (1) – A and C only

Correct Answer: (4) Dhaka.
Explanation : Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand brings together 1.5 billion people – 21% of the world population, and a combined GDP of over US$ 2.5 trillion.
BIMSTEC organizes inter-governmental interactions through Summits, Ministerial Meetings, Senior Officials Meetings and Expert Group Meetings and through BIMSTEC Working Group (BWG) based in Bangkok.

Correct Answer: (2) – ASEAN Summit, 2014
Explanation:
• The Act East Policy was officially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 12th ASEAN-India Summit held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar in November 2014.
• It is an evolved version of the Look East Policy and aims to:
• Strengthen economic, strategic, and cultural ties with Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.
• Enhance connectivity with Northeast India, boosting regional development.
• Promote regional cooperation through bilateral, regional, and multilateral engagements.
✗ Other Options:
• (A) BIMSTEC Summit, 2004 – Incorrect.
• (C) IORA Meet, 1997 – Incorrect.
• (D) SAARC Summit, 2014 – Incorrect.
Final Answer: (2) – ASEAN Summit, 2014

Correct Answer: (C) CEPA.
Explanation : India is signatory of CEPA and it has signed this with UAE in 2022, Canada in 2008, Japan in 2011 and South Korea 2009.
India has not signed NPT as it is discriminatory in nature, CTBT as it was against India’s national interest and SALT as it is a bilateral arms limitation talks arranged between USA and USSR.

Correct Answer: (4) – A.B. Vajpayee
Explanation:
• The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) was launched in 2000 during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• It is a regional initiative involving India and five ASEAN countries:
• Cambodia
• Lao PDR
• Myanmar
• Thailand
• Vietnam
Focus Areas of Cooperation:
• Tourism
• Culture
• Education
• Transport & Communications
The MGC symbolizes the shared cultural heritage of the Ganga and Mekong river basins and seeks to revive ancient links through modern cooperation.
Final Answer: (4) – A.B. Vajpayee

Correct Answer: (3) A and C only
Explanation:
(A) Fast Track Diplomacy – Narendra Modi ✓
Coined during Modi’s tenure, it reflects India’s proactive and high-paced diplomacy, including outreach to global powers and regional neighbors.
(B) Project Mausam – Rajiv Gandhi ✗
Incorrect. Project Mausam was launched by the Ministry of Culture in 2014 during Modi’s government, not during Rajiv Gandhi’s time.
(C) Look East Policy – Narsimha Rao ✓
Correct. The Look East Policy was launched in 1991 under Prime Minister P.V. Narsimha Rao to enhance relations with Southeast Asian nations.
(D) Act East Policy – Manmohan Singh ✗
Incorrect. The Act East Policy was announced in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ASEAN Summit in Myanmar.
Final Answer: (3) A and C only

Correct Answer: (2) SAARC.
Explanation : The South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was set up as an organization to build a connected and integrated South Asia with the larger aim of promoting the development and progress of all countries in the region. It was established by seven countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as its original members. After the inclusion of Afghanistan at the 13th summit held at Dhaka in 2006, there are now eight members. Its Secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Correct Answer: (1) Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA).
Explanation : The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for geospatial cooperation is essentially a communication agreement proposed between the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency of the US Department of Defense and the Ministry of Defense of the Government of India.
It will allow India and the US to share military information including advanced satellite and topographic data such as maps, nautical and aeronautical charts and geodetic, geophysical, geomagnetic and gravity data.

Correct Answer: (3) McMahon Line.
Explanation : McMahon Line, frontier between Tibet and Assam in British India, negotiated between Tibet and Great Britain at the end of the Shimla Conference (October 1913–July 1914) and named for the chief British negotiator, Sir Henry McMahon. It runs from the eastern border of Bhutan along the crest of the Himalayas until it reaches the great bend in the Brahmaputra River where that river emerges from its Tibetan course into the Assam Valley.

Correct Answer: (1) A and B only.
Explanation : The reasons for the emergence of Neo-colonialism are :
. Weakened Position of European Powers
. Rise of Consciousness against Imperialism
. The Needs of the Developed States
. The Continued Dependence of the New States on Developed States
. Impact of Cold War
. The Policies of the USA and the (Erstwhile) Soviet Union

Correct Answer: (3) A and C only
Explanation:
(A) India has signed the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) with Bangladesh in 2015 ✓
Correct. The historic LBA was signed in 2015, facilitating the exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh, resolving a long-standing border issue.
(B) India has agreed to build Hambantota port in Sri Lanka in 2017 ✗
Incorrect. The Hambantota Port was developed with Chinese assistance, not Indian. In fact, Sri Lanka leased the port to China for 99 years, which raised security concerns in India.
(C) India has signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) with Afghanistan in 2011 ✓
Correct. India signed an SPA with Afghanistan in October 2011, during the visit of President Hamid Karzai. It was the first such agreement signed by Afghanistan with any country.
(D) The regime of Abdulla Yameen (2013–2018) of Maldives was friendly with India ✗
Incorrect. Yameen’s regime was more aligned with China and had strained relations with India, especially due to the expulsion of Indian workers and the cancellation of Indian projects.
Final Answer: (3) A and C only

Correct Answer: (3) C and D only
Explanation : A set of policy principles authored by Indira Gandhi. It centers on dissuading the influence of external countries within South Asia that have either implicit or explicit anti-Indian agendas, primarily via the deployment of India’s military forces as both a deterrent and an interventionist foreign-policy tool. The doctrine typified India’s approach to South Asia in the 1970s and 1980s.

Correct Answer: (1) C, B, D, A.
Explanation :
Moscow Test Ban Treaty : 1963 (Also known as Partial Test Ban Treaty)
Tashkent Agreement : 1965 (Between India and Pakistan)
India – Russia Friendship Treaty : 1971 (Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation)
Land Boundary Agreement : 1974 (Between India and Bangladesh)

Correct Answer: (1) Both (A) and (R) are true and R is the correct Explanation of (A)
Explanation : The Indian nuclear policy maintained credible minimum deterrence at the regional level by using the stance of No First Use (NFU) which means India will retaliate in case of a nuclear strike and not initiate any such attack in the first stance. And India also maintains strict control on the export of nuclear technology and believes in creating a nuclear weapon free world at global level.

Correct Answer: (4) A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
Explanation:
(A) BECA – 2020 (III):
Signed in October 2020, this agreement enables geospatial information sharing between India and the U.S., enhancing military cooperation and missile accuracy.
(B) Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal – 2005 (IV):
Finalized in 2005, under PM Manmohan Singh and President George W. Bush, allowing nuclear cooperation between the two nations despite India not being a signatory to the NPT.
(C) High Technology Cooperation Groups – 2002 (II):
Launched in 2002 to promote trade in dual-use high technology and boost strategic technology cooperation.
(D) Next Steps in Strategic Partnership – 2004 (I):
Announced in 2004, this initiative expanded Indo-US cooperation in civil nuclear, space, missile defense, and high-tech trade.
Final Answer: (4) – A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I

Correct Answer: (2) Nepal
Explanation : Kalapani is a region located in the easternmost corner of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district. It shares a broder on the north with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Nepal in the east and south. The region resembles a slice of cake wedged in between Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani. The area is in India’s control but Nepal claims the region because of historical and cartographic reasons. The area is the largest territorial dispute between Nepal and India consisting of at least 37,000 hectares of land in the High Himalayas.

Answer: (2) Inder Kumar Gujral
Explanation:
• The Gujral Doctrine, articulated by Inder Kumar Gujral, emphasized unilateral generosity and non-reciprocal concessions to India’s smaller neighbours like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
• The aim was to build trust and goodwill in the South Asian region by using India’s size and strength responsibly and generously.
• This doctrine also highlighted:
• Non-interference in internal affairs,
• Peaceful bilateral resolution of disputes,
• Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Final Answer: (2) Inder Kumar Gujral

Ans: (3) China.
Explanation : Panchsheel, or the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, were first formally enunciated in the Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet region of China and India signed on April 29, 1954, which stated, in its preamble, that the two Governments “have resolved to enter into the present
Agreement based on the following principles: –
1) Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,
2) Mutual non-aggression,
3) Mutual non-interference,
4) Equality and mutual benefit, and
5) Peaceful co-existence.”

Answer: (2) No use against friendly countries
Explanation:
India’s Nuclear Doctrine (2003) includes:
Minimum credible deterrence ✓
No First Use policy ✓
Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states ✓
Option to retaliate with nuclear weapons if attacked by chemical or biological weapons ✓
Civilian control through the Nuclear Command Authority ✓
However, “No use against friendly countries” is not part of the official doctrine. The doctrine is based on threat perception, not diplomatic relations.
Final Answer: (2) No use against friendly countries

Answer: (1) A and B only
Explanation:
A) Siachen Dispute ✓
Ongoing military standoff between India and Pakistan over the Siachen Glacier in Jammu & Kashmir.
B) Sir Creek Dispute ✓
A territorial and maritime boundary dispute between India and Pakistan, located in the Rann of Kutch.
C) Kalapani Dispute ✗
This is a border dispute between India and Nepal, not Pakistan.
D) Dahagram Dispute ✗
The Dahagram–Angarpota enclave issue involved India and Bangladesh, not Pakistan.
Final Answer: (1) A and B only

Ans: (3) B and C only.
Explanation : The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation of seven nations of South Asia and Southeast Asia. It consists of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal.

Answer: (3) A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I
Explanation:
(A) China – Galwan Incident (II) ✓
Refers to the deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops in June 2020 in the Galwan Valley, Eastern Ladakh.
(B) Bangladesh – Land Boundary Agreement (III) ✓
India and Bangladesh signed the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) in 2015 to settle border enclaves and land disputes.
(C) Pakistan – Baglihar Hydro Project (IV) ✓
Pakistan objected to this dam built by India on the Chenab River, claiming it violated the Indus Waters Treaty.
(D) Nepal – Kalapani Dispute (I) ✓
A territorial dispute between India and Nepal regarding the Kalapani region in Uttarakhand.
Final Answer: (3) A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I

Ans: (4) B, C, D, A.
Explanation:
Look East Policy – 1991
Gujral Doctrine – 1996
Pokhran – II Nuclear Explosion – 1998
Lahore Bus Diplomacy – 1999

Correct Answer: (2) (A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(III)
Explanation:
(A) Shimla Accord – Indira Gandhi (II)
Signed in 1972 between Indira Gandhi and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto post the Indo-Pak war.
(B) Act East Policy – Narendra Modi (IV)
Initiated by Narendra Modi in 2014, evolving from the “Look East Policy” of the 1990s.
(C) India’s Peacekeeping in Sri Lanka – Rajiv Gandhi (I)
The IPKF was sent under the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord in 1987, signed by Rajiv Gandhi.
(D) Lahore Declaration – Atal Bihari Vajpayee (III)
Signed in 1999 during Vajpayee’s tenure as PM with Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif.
Final Answer: (2) (A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(III)

Ans: (4) (B), (D), (A), (C).
Explanation :
Panchsheel : 1954 (Signed between India and China)
Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship :1971 (Signed between India and Bangladesh)
Gujral Doctrine : 1996
Look East policy : 1991

Ans: (1) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
Explanation : A country’s foreign policy is the general objectives that guide the activities and relationships of one state in its interactions with other states.
The development of foreign policy is influenced by domestic considerations, the policies or behaviour of other states, or plans to advance specific geopolitical designs.

Ans : (1) ASEAN
Explanation : The term ‘flying bees’ is associated with ASEAN countries because their registered economic growth is very fast over the last two decades.

Ans: (4) – India has neither signed nor ratified either NPT or CTBT.
Explanation : India has not signed NPT (The Nuclear – Non Proliferation Treaty 1968) as it is discriminatory in nature and has also not signed CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty 1996) as it was against India’s national interest.

Ans : (3) Japan.
Explanation : The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Japan was signed on 16th February, 2011 and came into force from 1st August of the same year. Apart from accelerating business activities, the deal aimed to eliminate tariffs on 90 percent of Japanese exports to India, such as auto parts and electric appliances, and 97 percent of imports from India, including agricultural and fisheries products, until 2021.

Ans : (1) India-Myanmar-Thailand
Explanation : India and ASEAN countries are holding consultations on the extension of the 1,360 km IMT highway from Moreh in India to Mae-Sot in Thailand to Laos, Cambodia and to Vietnam.

Ans: (4) Russia
Explanation : The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and built under licence by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force. A variant of the Sukhoi Su-30, it is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter.

Ans: (3) West Asian Countries.
Explanation : Look West Policy is the overall Indian government’s strategy in dealing with the West Asian nations. It was adopted by the Indian government in 2005

Ans : (2) Ravi, Beas, Sutlej
Explanation : Indus Waters Treaty, treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, between India and Pakistan and brokered by the World Bank. The treaty fixed and delimited the rights and obligations of both countries concerning the use of the waters of the Indus River system.

Correct Answer: (3) (a) and (d)
Explanation:
(a) TRUE – The UN Security Council first took up the Kashmir issue in 1948, after India approached the UN regarding Pakistani aggression.
(b) FALSE – The Vajpayee-Musharraf summit was held in Agra in 2001, not in Islamabad or 2004.
(c) FALSE – The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service across the LoC began in April 2005.
(d) TRUE – The Samjhauta Express blast occurred in February 2007, killing dozens on the India-Pakistan peace train.
Final Answer: (3) (a) and (d)

Ans: (3) (a) and (b).
Explanation : The Five Fingers of Tibet is a Chinese foreign policy attributed to Mao Zedong that considers Tibet to be China’s right hand palm, with five fingers on its periphery: Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh, and that it is China’s responsibility to “liberate”(means capture) these regions.

Ans : (3) (A) is true but (R) is false.
Explanation : On July 2, 1972, the Simla Agreement, also known as the Simla Accord, was signed between Indian PM Indira Gandhi and Pakistani president Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh.
The two countries put an end to the conflict and confrontation that have hitherto marred their relations and work for the promotion of a friendly and harmonious relationship and the establishment of durable peace in the subcontinent, so that both countries may henceforth devote their resources and energies to the pressing task of advancing the welfare of their peoples.

Ans: (3) Only (i), (ii) and (iii)
Explanation : India never signed NPT as it was discriminatory in nature.

Ans : (1) Morarji Desai.
Explanation : Fourth Prime Minister of India Morarji Desai who led Janata Party government between 1977 and 1979 propounded the notion of ‘genuine non alignment’. Morarji Desai had stated that India’s foreign policy would revert to “genuine” non-alignment and that India would not allow any previous agreement to “come in the way of friendship with other countries”.

Ans: (1) In the wake of 9/11 in October, 2001
Explanation : US placed economic sanctions on India in accordance with its preferred approach to foreign policy in recent decades and in compliance with the 1994 anti-proliferation law. But it lifted all the sanctions imposed on India after it faced terrorist attack on 2001.

Ans. (1) All for one, one for all
Explanation: Collective Security is currently regarded as the most promising approach to international peace. It is regarded as a valuable device of crisis management in international relations. Collective Security is a device of crisis management which postulates a commitment on the part of all the nations to collectively meet an aggression that may be committed by any state against another.

Ans. (2) efforts for improving ties with the neighbouring countries without reciprocity.
Explanation: The “Gujral Doctrine” sought to end India’s endless contestations with neighbours and offered to walk the extra mile in resolving the long standing problem. Gujral was aware of the dangerous neighbourhood of India and this doctrine basically projected India as a benign big brother so that peace can be maintained. As a benign big brother, India would give concessions to all except Pakistan without any reciprocal return expectation.Thus, this policy of Non-reciprocal accommodation of India’s neighbours was aimed for India’s own accelerated economic development also.

Ans. (2) Successor State to the former Soviet Union.
Explanation: The USSR collapsed in late 1991. Eleven of the twelve members of the Commonwealth of Independent States signed a declaration on December 21, 1991, agreeing that “Member states of the Commonwealth support Russia in taking over the USSR membership in the UN, including permanent membership in the Security Council.” The succession was supported by the USSR’s former members and was not objected to by the UN membership; Russia accounted for about half the Soviet Union’s economy and most of its land mass; in addition, the history of the Soviet Union began in Russia. If there was to be a successor to the Soviet seat on the Security Council among the former Soviet republics, these factors made Russia seem like a logical choice.

Ans. (2) Rebuilding Western European economics
Explanation: The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, was a U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe following the devastation of World War II. It was enacted in 1948 and provided more than $15 billion to help finance rebuilding efforts on the continent. It was the brainchild of U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall, for whom it was named, it was crafted as a four-year plan to reconstruct cities, industries and infrastructure heavily damaged during the war and to remove trade barriers between European neighbours – as well as foster commerce between those countries and the United States.

Ans: (3) To end the ethnic strife between the Sinhalese and Tamils.

Ans: (4) All of the above are true.
Explanation: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum is the main forum for promoting growth, technical and economic cooperation, trade facilitation and liberalization, and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. It was created in 1989, at the behest of Australia and Japan, to strengthen the community of the Asia-Pacific region. It has 21 members, which are known as “economies”. These are: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; China; Hong Kong; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States and Viet Nam. The moratorium was revoked in 2010 with regard to the entry of new members. However, this issue has not been addressed since then. The last economies to join were Peru, Russia and Vietnam in 1998. Together, these 21 economies currently represent the most dynamic economic region in the world with 40% of world’s population, 60% of global GDP and 50% of total trade.

Ans: (4) The Truman Doctrine
Explanation: The Truman Doctrine was issued by President Harry S. Truman in 1947. In this doctrine, President Truman said that the United States would go to whatever lengths possible to contain the spread of communism and stop the United States’ former ally, the Soviet Union. This doctrine determined the US cold war strategy

Ans. (3) India’s security is coterminous with the region and any interference of external powers is taken as a threat to India’s security.
Explanation: India has always felt that it has a right and a duty to protect and support its South Asian brethren. In the 20th century, this sustained belief was known as the “Indira Doctrine,” and it justified Indira Gandhi’s decision to support East Pakistan militarily in 1971, to help it secure independence and become Bangladesh. The Indira Doctrine was essentially India’s Monroe Doctrine; it declared India’s intent to keep foreign powers away from its immediate sphere of influence.

Ans:(4) Mutually Assured Destruction
Explanation: Mutually Assured Destruction, or mutually assured deterrence (MAD), is a military theory that was developed to deter the use of nuclear weapons. The theory is based on the fact that nuclear weaponry is so devastating that no government wants to use them.

Ans. (1) Carl von Clausewitz
Explanation: Carl Von Clausewitz was one of the first writers to condemn the militarism of the Prussian general staff and its war-proneness, based on Clausewitz’s argument that “war is a continuation of politics by other means.”

Ans. (3) independence and judging each issue on its relevance to our national interest.
Explanation: Non-alignment means a foreign policy which while keeping herself free from cold war and military alliances, actively participates in international relations. It means a foreign policy based on national interest as well as on the demands of international objectives of peace and security.

Ans: (1) Armenia and Azerbaijan
Explanation: The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a territorial and ethnic conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts, which are de facto controlled by the selfdeclared Republic of Artsakh, but are internationally recognised as de jure part of Azerbaijan.

Ans. (1) Iran, North Korea and Iraq
Explanation: Axis of evil, expression used to describe the aggressive tendencies of Iran, North Korea, and Iraq in the early 21st century. The phrase axis of evil was first used by U.S. President George W. Bush in his State of the Union address on January 29, 2002.