UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on the International Relations Quiz to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the MCQs on Weekly Current Affairs.

Consider the following countries/union:

1. Russia

2. Turkey

3. African Union

4. Philippines

5. Japan

How many of the countries/union given above are members of the G20 grouping?

(a) Only two

(b) Only three

(c) Only four

(d) All five

Explanation

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Joe Biden during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

— At the summit, PM Modi spoke about India’s work in inclusive development and its efforts to help the Global South. He said, “Over the last 10 years, we have lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Over 800 million people are being given food grains free of cost. 550 million people are benefiting from the world’s biggest health insurance scheme.”

— The Group of Twenty (G20) consists of 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States) as well as two regional bodies: the European Union and the African Union (as of 2023).

— Philippines is not a member of G20.

— The G20 countries account for around 85% of global GDP, over 75% of global trade, and almost two-thirds of the world’s population.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

The Bryansk region was in the news recently. It is located in:

(a) United States

(b) Russia

(c) China

(d) North Korea

Explanation

— In a major escalation of the war on its 1,000th day, Russia alleged that debris from a US-made ATACMS missile has fallen in the Bryansk region of the country.

— According to Russia’s state-owned news service Tass, which cited the Ministry of Defence, the debris landed at a military base in the region, starting a small fire.

— The ministry also reported that it intercepted and shot down five of the missiles over Bryansk. It stated that the strike caused no casualties or considerable damage. However, no other news source has independently verified these assertions, and Ukraine has not commented on the stories, nor has the United States or its allies confirmed them.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism was introduced by:

(a) United States

(b) China

(c) European Union

(d) Australia

Explanation

— China and India confronted the European Union (EU) on the issue of trade barriers disguised as climate action and warned that unilateral trade measures could be detrimental to multilateral cooperation.

— China and India, along with fellow BASIC country allies Brazil and South Africa, have complained about the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) adopted last year.

— CBAM proposes imposing a fee on a certain class of commodities imported into the EU if their manufacture had an emission footprint that exceeded the EU’s emission regulations.

— CBAM will have the effect of goods from developing countries like China or India becoming non-competitive in the European markets.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

With reference to the Suez Canal, consider the following statements:

1. It is a natural waterway that connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

2. It cuts down the sea route from Asia to Europe by up to 7,000 km.

3. It handles roughly 42 per cent of global commerce.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

— The Suez Canal is the 193-km artificial waterway that connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean through the Isthmus of Suez. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— It reduced the maritime path from Asia to Europe by up to 7,000 kilometres by eliminating the requirement for ships to pass around the southern tip of Africa to connect the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Today, it is one of the world’s busiest waterways, accounting for over 12 per cent of global business. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— There is some evidence that a canal was built in the region during the era of Pharaoh Senausret III, who ruled in the second millennium BC. However, the idea for the contemporary canal dates back to the seventeenth century, when European colonial expansion was at its pinnacle.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Chancay Port was in the news. It is located in:

(a) Nigeria

(b) Oman

(c) Argentina

(d) Peru

Explanation

— Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated Peru’s Chancay Port, describing it as the starting point for a “new land-sea corridor between China and Latin America”.

— The vast $3.6 billion project, funded by China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has also generated concerns in US policymaking circles about Chinese influence in an area that has long been considered its backyard.

— Aside from its geopolitical significance, the deep-sea port is seen as a game changer for South America. According to a 2023 article in The Diplomat, “one of the most outstanding features of the Chancay New Multipurpose Port Terminal is its capacity to receive vessels of up to 18,000 TEUs (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units), the world’s largest shipping vessels.” To date, no ship of this size has arrived in Latin America. This capacity will establish Chancay as a strategic port on a worldwide basis.

— The port is located about 78 km north of the Peruvian capital of Lima, Chancay is a small fishing town with a population of around 60,000. It is a natural deep-water port, however, previous feasibility studies on building up infrastructure pointed out heavy construction costs.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 85)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 85)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 85)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 85)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 85)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 84)

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