Civil Services Examination - International relations: India’s foreign policy and bilateral relations Question Bank with Options

1. India's approach to multilateral institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO) is generally to:

A) Promote protectionist measures

B) Advocate for a rules-based multilateral trading system

C) Withdraw from international trade agreements

D) Focus solely on bilateral trade deals

2. The 'Act East Policy' has led to increased engagement between India and ASEAN member states in areas such as:

A) Border militarization

B) Trade, investment, and connectivity

C) Exclusionary cultural exchanges

D) Joint space exploration missions

3. India's participation in the 'Global South' initiative highlights its focus on:

A) Promoting the interests of developed nations

B) Advocating for the needs and concerns of developing countries

C) Establishing a new global economic order dominated by the North

D) Focusing solely on intra-European cooperation

4. The 'No-First-Use' (NFU) doctrine of India's nuclear policy signifies:

A) A commitment to immediate nuclear disarmament

B) A pledge not to be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict

C) A policy of nuclear deterrence through pre-emptive strikes

D) A rejection of nuclear weapons technology

5. India's visa liberalization policies for citizens of certain countries are aimed at boosting:

A) Military recruitment

B) Tourism and business

C) Intelligence gathering

D) Religious tourism only

6. The 'International Solar Alliance' (ISA), headquartered in India, aims to:

A) Promote solar energy cooperation among countries

B) Regulate international oil prices

C) Develop nuclear fusion technology

D) Establish a global carbon tax

7. India's policy towards the Taliban in Afghanistan has primarily focused on:

A) Direct military intervention

B) Ensuring a stable, inclusive, and sovereign Afghanistan

C) Recognizing the Taliban regime unconditionally

D) Supporting regional powers' unilateral actions

8. The 'India-United States 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue' involves the Foreign and Defence Ministers of both countries and aims to:

A) Discuss agricultural trade policies

B) Deepen strategic and security cooperation

C) Negotiate cultural exchange programs

D) Review space exploration treaties

9. India's 'Digital India' initiative has implications for its foreign policy through:

A) Reducing reliance on foreign technology

B) Promoting digital infrastructure cooperation and cybersecurity partnerships

C) Limiting international technology transfers

D) Focusing solely on domestic digital development

10. The 'SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation)' provides a platform for India to engage with countries on issues related to:

A) Maritime security in the Atlantic

B) Regional security, trade, and connectivity in Eurasia

C) Global financial regulation

D) Environmental protection in South America

11. India's bilateral relations with Sri Lanka are often shaped by considerations of:

A) Geopolitical rivalry with China

B) Fisheries disputes and ethnic Tamil issues

C) Joint exploration of Antarctic resources

D) Space technology collaboration

12. Which of the following is a key element of India's economic diplomacy?

A) Promoting protectionist trade policies

B) Seeking foreign investment and expanding export markets

C) Restricting outward foreign direct investment

D) Reducing participation in global supply chains

13. The 'Mekong-Ganga Cooperation' (MGC) initiative involves India and which group of countries?

A) South Asian nations

B) Southeast Asian nations

C) Central Asian nations

D) East Asian nations

14. India's stance on the nuclear issue of North Korea generally aligns with:

A) Supporting North Korea's nuclear ambitions

B) Advocating for denuclearization and dialogue

C) Providing military assistance to North Korea

D) Imposing unilateral sanctions

15. The 'Connect Central Asia' policy aims to enhance India's engagement with countries in:

A) Southeast Asia

B) Central Asia

C) Eastern Europe

D) North Africa

16. India's contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations demonstrate its commitment to:

A) Unilateral military interventions

B) Global peace and security

C) Establishing protectorates

D) Economic sanctions enforcement

17. The 'Strategic Partnership' between India and Vietnam is particularly focused on:

A) Joint space missions

B) Defense cooperation and maritime security

C) Agricultural technology exchange

D) Cultural tourism promotion

18. India's policy on the South China Sea dispute generally supports:

A) Unilateral claims by any nation

B) Freedom of navigation and adherence to international law

C) Military intervention by external powers

D) Bilateral negotiations excluding international forums

19. The 'India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor' (IMEC) was announced during which major international summit?

A) G20 Summit 2023

B) BRICS Summit 2023

C) SCO Summit 2023

D) East Asia Summit 2023

20. India's bilateral trade with the European Union is characterized by:

A) A significant trade deficit in favor of the EU

B) A growing volume of goods and services exchange

C) Exclusion of agricultural products

D) Limited scope for services trade

21. The 'Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework' reflects India's commitment to:

A) Space exploration

B) Environmental protection and conservation

C) Cybersecurity

D) Maritime trade routes

22. India's approach to international terrorism emphasizes:

A) Selective condemnation based on geopolitical interests

B) Zero tolerance and global cooperation

C) Focusing only on state-sponsored terrorism

D) Ignoring cross-border terrorism

23. Which Indian Prime Minister is widely credited with initiating the 'Look East' policy?

A) Indira Gandhi

B) Rajiv Gandhi

C) P.V. Narasimha Rao

D) Atal Bihari Vajpayee

24. The 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' between India and which country was elevated in 2020?

A) Nepal

B) Australia

C) Sri Lanka

D) Maldives

25. India's engagement with African nations is guided by principles of:

A) Colonial legacy and resource extraction

B) South-South cooperation and mutual development

C) Imposing political ideologies

D) Military dominance

26. The 'Asia-Africa Growth Corridor' (AAGC) is a collaborative initiative between India and which other country?

A) China

B) Japan

C) United States

D) South Korea

27. India's stance on the reform of the United Nations Security Council primarily advocates for:

A) Maintaining the status quo

B) Increasing representation for developing countries, including India

C) Reducing the veto power of permanent members

D) Replacing the Security Council with a new global body

28. What is the primary objective of the 'e-Visa' facility introduced by India for foreign nationals?

A) To enhance military cooperation

B) To simplify tourism and business travel

C) To regulate the flow of refugees

D) To facilitate diplomatic negotiations

29. The 'Project Mausam' initiated by India aims to re-establish connections with countries across which region?

A) East Asia

B) The Indian Ocean

C) Central Asia

D) The Mediterranean

30. India's bilateral relations with Bangladesh are significantly influenced by issues such as:

A) Maritime boundary disputes in the Pacific

B) Water sharing of common rivers and border management

C) Nuclear energy cooperation

D) Space technology collaboration

31. The establishment of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) aims to:

A) Promote India's defense exports

B) Foster cultural exchange and understanding with other nations

C) Negotiate bilateral trade agreements

D) Provide technical assistance for infrastructure projects

32. India's foreign policy approach towards global challenges like climate change is generally characterized by:

A) Leading the charge for immediate drastic emission cuts without considering development needs

B) Advocating for differentiated responsibilities and sustainable development

C) Rejecting international climate agreements altogether

D) Focusing solely on adaptation measures without mitigation

33. The 'Chabahar Port' project, important for India's connectivity, is located in which country?

A) Oman

B) Iran

C) Afghanistan

D) Pakistan

34. India's participation in the BRICS grouping includes cooperation with Brazil, Russia, China, and which other country?

A) Bangladesh

B) South Africa

C) Argentina

D) Nigeria

35. Which regional organization, aiming for economic integration, has India as a member?

A) APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)

B) ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

C) SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)

D) Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)

36. The 'No First Use' policy regarding nuclear weapons is a cornerstone of India's:

A) Economic policy

B) Defence doctrine

C) Space exploration program

D) Trade agreements

37. India's policy towards its immediate neighbours is often characterized by a balance between:

A) Economic aid and military intervention

B) Cultural exchange and border disputes

C) Strategic autonomy and regional stability

D) Non-interference and direct governance

38. Which country is India's largest trading partner as of recent data?

A) United States

B) China

C) United Arab Emirates

D) Saudi Arabia

39. The 'Quad' (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) comprises India, the United States, Japan, and which other country?

A) South Korea

B) Australia

C) Singapore

D) Vietnam

40. India's 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative primarily focuses on:

A) Cooperation with landlocked Central Asian countries

B) Promoting maritime security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean region

C) Developing space-based communication networks

D) Building infrastructure in South America

41. Which of the following is a key objective of India's 'Maritime Security Strategy'?

A) Aggressive expansion of naval bases

B) Ensuring freedom of navigation and combating maritime threats

C) Unilateral control over international shipping lanes

D) Establishing a regional naval hegemony

42. The 'Indo-Pacific' concept, increasingly central to India's foreign policy, emphasizes:

A) A purely economic integration of the region

B) A free, open, and inclusive maritime space

C) Military alliances against a specific country

D) Exclusionary trade blocs

43. India's strategic partnership with which country was significantly elevated following the 2008 Civil Nuclear Agreement?

A) Russia

B) France

C) United States

D) Japan

44. The Simla Agreement of 1972 between India and Pakistan aimed to:

A) Resolve the Kashmir dispute permanently

B) Establish a framework for peaceful bilateral relations

C) Initiate a nuclear non-proliferation treaty

D) Formalize trade and economic ties

45. Which international forum is India a founding member of, aimed at promoting economic cooperation among developing countries?

A) G20

B) BRICS

C) NAM (Non-Aligned Movement)

D) G77

46. The 'Look East' Policy, a precursor to the 'Act East' Policy, was launched in which decade?

A) 1960s

B) 1970s

C) 1980s

D) 1990s

47. India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy prioritizes relations with which group of countries?

A) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) members

B) ASEAN member states

C) Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries

D) African Union members

48. Which of the following is NOT a stated objective of India's 'Act East' Policy?

A) Enhancing economic ties with Southeast Asian nations

B) Promoting regional connectivity and security

C) Countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific

D) Facilitating people-to-people exchanges

49. The Panchsheel Agreement, signed between India and China in 1954, outlines principles for:

A) Border demarcation and trade

B) Cooperation in space exploration

C) Mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity

D) Cultural exchange and tourism

50. Which historical event significantly influenced the initial formulation of India's non-aligned foreign policy?

A) The Korean War

B) The Suez Crisis

C) The Cold War bipolarity

D) The formation of the United Nations

International relations: India’s foreign policy and bilateral relations - Question Bank