Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on operation carried out by the Indian Government to rescue Indian students, Baja Peninsula and more (Week 115)

Indian Express

3 hours ago

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 International Relations to check your progress.
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The Strait of Hormuz connects the:
(a) Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman
(b) Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
(c) Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea
(d) Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea
Explanation
— Iran's Supreme National Security Council will determine whether to close the Strait of Hormuz after the country's parliament approved the move, according to Reuters, citing Iran's public broadcaster Press TV.
— The shutdown of the strait, a critical waterway for global oil and gas shipments, is not yet final. Approximately 20% of the world's oil and gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
— The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, connects the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements:
1. This country is strategically located on the Adriatic Sea coastline.
2. It acts as a significant gateway to Europe and offers India a crucial opportunity to engage with the continent.
3. This country has various ports like Rijeka, Split and Ploče.
The above mentioned statements refer to:
(a) Hungary
(b) Serbia
(c) Slovenia
(d) Croatia
Explanation
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his final visit to Croatia as part of a three-nation tour that also included Cyprus and Canada. This is the Prime Minister's first international tour since Operation Sindoor, and the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited Croatia.
About Croatia
— Croatia, which is strategically placed on the Adriatic Sea coastline and serves as a vital gateway to Europe, provides India with an important opportunity to engage with the continent.
— Croatia's ports at Rijeka, Split, and Ploče are strategically located along vital European transportation corridors, including the projected Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
— Croatia's geographic location makes it a possible node in the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which intends to boost Indian trade with Europe via the Mediterranean. The extension of IMEC to the Adriatic will connect India with Central and Eastern European states that are also members of the Three Sea Initiative (3SI), a north-south trade and energy cooperation axis of 12 countries (including Croatia).
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
The 'Baja Peninsula' was in the news. It is part of:
(a) United States
(b) Canada
(c) Mexico
(d) Russia
Explanation
— This month, towns around the United States have seen enormous anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests in response to the Trump administration's sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration, which critics claim targets Hispanics in particular.
— These protests began on June 6 in Los Angeles, following military-style ICE raids that resulted in the incarceration of 44 persons, the majority of whom are of Mexican descent. California, specifically the city of Los Angeles, has been the epicentre of these protests.
— The Spanish colonisation of the New World began in the late 15th century and lasted until the end of the nineteenth century. At its apex, Spanish territory in the Americas reached as far north as Alaska and south as Tierra del Fuego in South America.
— The southern point of the Baja peninsula (now the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur) was discovered by Conquistadors in the 16th century.
— The geography of Mexico's Baja California peninsula is dominated by rugged mountains that drop off to the south. The mountains are an extension of California's Coast Range. The dried-up remains of the Colorado River Delta sit west of the Altar Desert, along the border of Baja and mainland Mexico.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
The Indian Government evacuated 110 students to Armenia from Tehran due to Israel-Iran conflict under:
(a) Operation Ganga
(b) Operation Devi Shakti
(c) Operation All Out
(d) Operation Sindhu
Explanation
— In a big relief to Indian students, the first flight transporting 110 students evacuated to Armenia from Tehran owing to the Israel-Iran crisis landed in Delhi.
— Due to the increased tensions between Israel and Iran, Indian students were relocated from Tehran, and 110 of them crossed the border into Armenia through preparations made by the Indian embassy under 'Operation Sindhu'.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
What is the correct chronological order of the following countries in terms of the number of nuclear warheads, as per the latest Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) yearbook?
1. China
2. India
3. Pakistan
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 2—1—3
(b) 1—2—3
(c) 1—3—2
(d) 3—1—2
Explanation
— According to the most recent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) yearbook, India has more nuclear weapons than Pakistan, despite the fact that China has more than three times as many.
— According to the SIPRI yearbook 2025, India has 180 nuclear storage weapons as of January 2025, with Pakistan having an estimated 170. As of January 2025, China has 600 nuclear warheads, 24 of which were deployed, either on missiles or on bases with operational forces.
— According to the SIPRI research, Russia and the United States have the greatest military stockpiles among the nine nuclear forces, with 5,459 and 5,177, respectively, including retired warheads.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 114)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 115)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 115)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 115)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 115)
Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 114)
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