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. Each day, we cover one new subject. Attempt today’s subject quiz on International Relations to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the MCQs on Weekly Current Affairs. Don’t miss checking the answers and explanations at the end of the quiz.

With reference to the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC), consider the following statements:

1. The SASEC initiative was commenced in 2001 at the request of the South Asian Growth Quadrangle (SAGQ).

2. The World Bank provided technical assistance for implementation of subregional cooperation projects under the SASEC Program.

3. India is not a part of SASEC.

4. SASEC countries share a common vision of boosting intraregional trade and cooperation in South Asia.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Marinka town was recently in the news. The town is located in:

(a) Slovakia

(b) Germany

(c) Turkey

(d) Ukraine

Consider the following pairs:

      (Place)                        (Location)

1. Java Island                 Malaysia

2. West Aceh                  Indonesia

3. Minbya township        Sudan

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Majeed Brigade was in the news. It is associated with:

(a) Separatist group of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)

(b) Subsidiary organ of United Nations General Assembly

(c) Regional group to develop a shared vision for Europe

(d) Part of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces

Mission ‘Aspides’ was recently in the news. It was launched by:

(a) African Union

(b) World Trade Organization

(c) European Union

(d) Indian Space Research Organisation

FYI:

— The SASEC pledged to improve intra-regional connectivity to boost trade and tourism as they eye $70 billion incremental gross domestic product (GDP) and 20 million jobs by 2025.

— The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) programme brings together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in a project-based partnership with the goal of promoting regional prosperity, improving economic opportunities, and improving the quality of life for the subregion’s people. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— SASEC countries share a same aim of increasing intraregional trade and collaboration in South Asia while also expanding connectivity and trade with Southeast Asia via Myanmar, the People’s Republic of China, and the global market. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

— The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) initiative commenced in 2001 at the request of the South Asian Growth Quadrangle (SAGQ) comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (also known as BBIN). Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided technical assistance for implementation of subregional cooperation projects under the SASEC Program. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.adb.org, aric.adb.org)

FYI:

— Russian forces captured the longtime Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka. Moscow’s first major battlefield gain since it took Bakhmut last year.

— The now-destroyed city of Avdiivka covers only some 12 square miles. It sits only a few miles from the city of Donetsk, which Russia has occupied since 2014.

— With Marinka under control, the Russians are attacking Vuhledar from the north. They are currently advancing through the village of Novomykhailivka, which is about 13 miles to the northeast.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

FYI:

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— The Majeed Brigade of the separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for an attack on a complex outside Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar Port.

— The BLA is the most prominent of the many separatist groups in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province.

— The Majeed Brigade, which has been active since 2011, is the BLA’s dedicated suicide squad. The unit is named after two brothers, both of whom were called Majeed Langove.

— Balochistan, in Pakistan’s southwest, is the country’s largest and most sparsely populated province. It has oil reserves and abundant natural resources, but the ethnic Baloch are Pakistan’s poorest and most under-represented people.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— The European Union formally began a special naval mission, Mission ‘Aspides’ to defend Red Sea commerce ships against attacks by Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran.

— The mission, named “Aspides” after the Greek word for shield, is intended to protect the freedom of movement between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

— Since October, Houthi rebels have been attacking vessels travelling through the waterway with a constant barrage of drone and rocket assaults, causing instability in the region.

— The Houthis, a rebel group that holds authority over a portion of Yemen and is backed by Iran, claim that their attacks are reprisal for Israel’s Gaza conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of some 29,000 Palestinians.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Source: http://www.euronews.com)

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