Major Treaties & Agreements — Set 4
International Relations · प्रमुख संधियां और समझौते · Questions 31–40 of 120
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was opened for signature in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 1996
The CTBT was adopted by the UN General Assembly and opened for signature on September 24, 1996. It bans all nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes. The treaty has not yet entered into force as it requires ratification by all 44 'Annex 2' states, including India, Pakistan, the United States, China, and Israel.
India's position on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is:
Correct Answer: C. India has neither signed nor ratified CTBT
India has neither signed nor ratified the CTBT and is one of the key 'Annex 2' states whose ratification is required for the treaty to enter into force. India opposes the CTBT on grounds that it does not include a time-bound framework for nuclear disarmament by existing nuclear weapon states. India has maintained a voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing since the 1998 Pokhran tests.
The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) granted a special waiver to India in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 2008
The Nuclear Suppliers Group granted India a special waiver on September 6, 2008, allowing India to engage in civilian nuclear commerce despite not being a signatory to the NPT. This waiver was a landmark outcome of the India-USA Civil Nuclear Agreement (also known as the 123 Agreement). The NSG waiver enabled India to access nuclear fuel, technology, and equipment from NSG member countries.
The NSG waiver of 2008 was primarily a consequence of the civil nuclear cooperation agreement between India and:
Correct Answer: C. USA
The NSG waiver of 2008 was directly linked to the India-USA Civil Nuclear Agreement, commonly called the 123 Agreement, signed during the George W. Bush administration. The USA lobbied intensively within the NSG to secure India's exemption from normal non-proliferation conditions. The agreement allows India to separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities and open civilian facilities to IAEA safeguards.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was founded in which year?
Correct Answer: D. 1995
The WTO was established on January 1, 1995, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that had been in place since 1948. India is a founding member of the WTO having been one of the original signatories to the Marrakesh Agreement that established it. The WTO deals with the global rules of trade between nations and provides a forum for trade dispute settlement.
India is a founding member of which international trade organization established in 1995?
Correct Answer: B. World Trade Organization
India is a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which was established on January 1, 1995. India played an active role in the Uruguay Round of negotiations that led to the creation of the WTO. India has been a vocal advocate in the WTO for protecting the interests of developing nations in areas like agriculture, public food stockholding, and access to medicines.
India's Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) was adopted in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 2016
India adopted its revised Model Bilateral Investment Treaty in 2016, replacing the earlier 1993 model. The new model BIT significantly curtails investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms and increases the emphasis on investors fulfilling obligations and exhausting domestic legal remedies. India had terminated several BITs following adverse arbitration awards, particularly the White Industries and Vodafone cases.
The BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement was signed between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and:
Correct Answer: C. Nepal
The BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) was signed in June 2015 between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal, providing a framework for cross-border movement of passenger and cargo vehicles among these four nations. Bhutan subsequently withdrew from active participation due to its Parliament's concerns, leaving Bangladesh, India, and Nepal to pilot the agreement. The MVA aims to significantly reduce transit time and costs for goods movement in the sub-region.
BIMSTEC stands for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation and has how many member countries?
Correct Answer: C. 7
BIMSTEC has 7 member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It was established in 1997 and groups the nations bordering or near the Bay of Bengal. India has increasingly prioritized BIMSTEC over SAARC as a platform for regional cooperation given that SAARC has been stalled by India-Pakistan tensions.
A key difference between SAARC and BIMSTEC is that BIMSTEC excludes:
Correct Answer: C. Pakistan
The most significant structural difference between SAARC and BIMSTEC is that BIMSTEC does not include Pakistan as a member. This is why India has shifted diplomatic emphasis toward BIMSTEC, as Pakistan's presence in SAARC has frequently paralyzed that organization. BIMSTEC also includes Myanmar and Thailand, making it a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.