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.

Note: Question number 5 of the Economy Quiz (Week 80) has been changed, please take a look.

With reference to the Sikh community in Canada, consider the following statements:

1. The proportion of Canada’s Sikh population has increased to around ten times between 2001 and 2021.

2. British Columbia has the largest Sikh community in Canada as of 2021.

3. The first Sikh elected to the Canadian Parliament was Punjab-born Gurbax Singh Malhi.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The Government of India expelled six Canadian diplomats after rejecting Canada’s allegations that top Indian diplomats posted in Canada were involved in the murder of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

— Sikhs began migrating from India to Canada in the late nineteenth century and now make up approximately 2% of the population.

— Statistics Canada reports that the proportion of Sikhs in Canada increased from 0.9% to 2.1% between 2001 and 2021. Hence statement 1 is not correct.

— In 2021, Ontario had the largest Sikh community in Canada, with 300,435, followed by British Columbia (290,870). Hence statement 2 is not correct.

— Gurbax Singh Malhi, born in Punjab, was the first Sikh elected to the Canadian Parliament in 1993, representing the Liberal Party. By the 2021 general elections, 18 Sikh MPs have been elected to the Canadian parliament. Hence statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

With reference to the Belt and Road Initiative, consider the following statements:

1. It was launched by Russia to revitalise a series of trading and infrastructure routes between Asia and Europe.

2. India has always opposed the BRI on grounds of territorial integrity and sovereignty, as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

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

— India, Pakistan, China, Russia, and six other member countries attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads-of-government summit.

— The SCO’s member countries are India, China, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus.

— China’s President Xi Jinping unveiled the ‘Belt’ during his 2013 travels to Kazakhstan. The ‘Belt’ proposal aimed to revive a network of commerce and infrastructure routes connecting Asia and Europe. Hence statement 1 is not correct.

— Connectivity through Central Asia was an important aspect of the program. Xi later announced a marine trade infrastructure called ‘Road’. This marine ‘road’ would connect China to Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa. The primary focus has been on developing ports, bridges, industry corridors, and other infrastructure throughout Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.

— India has always opposed the BRI on grounds of territorial integrity and sovereignty, as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

‘Operation Joint Sword 24B’, a military exercise was conducted by:

(a) United States

(b) Russia

(c) China

(d) North Korea

Explanation

— China launched military exercises with ships and aircraft near Taiwan, merely days after the latter observed its 113th National Day.

— During ‘Operation Joint Sword 24B’, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly deployed the Liaoning aircraft carrier, ships and warplanes around Taiwan and its outlying islands early Monday morning, and sealed off key ports in the Taiwan Strait.

— According to the PLA, the exercise tested “combat readiness patrols, blockade of key ports and areas, assault on maritime and ground targets and seizure of comprehensive superiority”.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Jabalia refugee camp was recently in the news. It is located in:

(a) Israel

(b) Gaza Strip

(c) Iran

(d) Lebanon

Explanation

— In a series of Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip, at least 50 Palestinians were reported killed as Israeli forces intensified their operations around Jabalia, a city in the northern enclave.

— According to Palestinian health officials, 17 people died near Al-Falouja in Jabalia, Gaza’s largest historic refugee camp.

— The ongoing military operations have sparked widespread alarm among Palestinians and humanitarian organisations over the likely relocation of civilians in northern Gaza.

— The Israeli military has encircled the Jabalia camp, deploying tanks in adjacent towns with the goal of removing Hamas fighters. Residents have been advised to move to southern Gaza.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

United Nations Interim Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is an international body assigned to prevent violations along the border between Lebanon and:

(a) Syria

(b) Cyprus

(c) Jordan

(d) Israel

Explanation

— India said it was “concerned” at the “deteriorating” security situation in parts of West Asia after two members of a United Nations peacekeeping mission operating along Lebanon’s border with Israel were injured.

— The United Nations Interim Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is an international body of more than 10,000 civilian and military personnel from 50 countries assigned to prevent violations along the border between Lebanon and Israel.

— The UN has kept the peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, in southern Lebanon since 1978. Its mission is largely observational, though its mandate was expanded in 2006 at the end of the last war between Israel and Hezbollah.

— UNIFIL is supposed to prevent violations in the border zone and report breaches to the UN Security Council. Although they are armed, the peacekeepers are generally restricted to using force only when their safety or the safety of civilians is in immediate danger.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 80)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 80)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 80)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 80)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 79)

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