Major Treaties & Agreements — Set 9
International Relations · प्रमुख संधियां और समझौते · Questions 81–90 of 120
India became a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 2016
India joined the MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime) on June 27, 2016, becoming its 35th member. The MTCR is an informal political agreement among supplier countries to limit the proliferation of missiles capable of carrying nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. India's membership facilitated the purchase of armed predator drones from the US and cooperation on advanced missile systems.
The India-Australia ECTA 2022 entered into force on which date?
Correct Answer: C. December 29, 2022
The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) entered into force on December 29, 2022, after completion of the required domestic procedures in both countries. The agreement was signed on April 2, 2022, and provides for elimination of tariffs on 96% of Australian exports to India by value and on 85% of Indian exports to Australia. It was seen as a precursor to a full Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
The return of Pakistani prisoners of war captured in the 1971 war was completed by:
Correct Answer: B. 1973
The return of approximately 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war captured in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War was completed by August 1973, following the Simla Agreement and subsequent trilateral agreements between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The return of POWs was a major operational and diplomatic achievement. Pakistan's recognition of Bangladesh was also linked to these negotiations.
Which Part of UNCLOS defines and governs the Exclusive Economic Zone?
Correct Answer: B. Part V
Part V of UNCLOS (Articles 55-75) defines and governs the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Article 55 establishes the specific legal regime of the EEZ, Article 56 defines the rights and jurisdiction of coastal states in the EEZ, and Article 57 sets the width at 200 nautical miles. India has a large EEZ of approximately 2.37 million square kilometers.
The WTO's highest decision-making body is the:
Correct Answer: B. Ministerial Conference
The Ministerial Conference is the WTO's highest decision-making body, meeting at least once every two years. Below it, the General Council handles the day-to-day work of the WTO between Ministerial Conferences. India has played an active role in WTO Ministerial Conferences, often leading developing country coalitions on issues like agricultural subsidies and food security.
The SAARC Charter was adopted on which date?
Correct Answer: A. December 8, 1985
The SAARC Charter was adopted on December 8, 1985, at the first SAARC Summit in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The idea of SAARC was first proposed by Bangladesh's President Ziaur Rahman in 1980. The seven founding members committed to cooperation in economic, social, cultural, technical, and scientific fields while excluding bilateral and contentious issues from SAARC's agenda.
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the 'diplomatic bag' used for official correspondence:
Correct Answer: B. Cannot be opened or detained
Article 27 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations provides that the diplomatic bag shall not be opened or detained, serving as a means of official communication between the sending state and its missions. The bag must bear only official documents or articles intended for official use. This inviolability of the diplomatic bag has sometimes been controversial, with cases of its alleged misuse.
India's EEZ covers approximately how many square kilometers?
Correct Answer: C. 2.37 million sq km
India's Exclusive Economic Zone covers approximately 2.37 million square kilometers, making it one of the largest EEZs in the Indian Ocean region. India's coastline of approximately 7,516 km and its island territories in the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep archipelagos contribute to this extensive maritime zone. The EEZ is crucial for India's fisheries, offshore energy resources, and maritime security.
The Kargil War (1999) was seen by India as a violation of the Simla Agreement because Pakistan:
Correct Answer: C. Attempted to unilaterally alter the LoC
The Kargil conflict of 1999, in which Pakistani-backed forces crossed the Line of Control and occupied heights on the Indian side in the Kargil sector, was characterized by India as a direct violation of the Simla Agreement's commitment not to alter the LoC unilaterally. India maintained that it was responding to Pakistan's violation of the bilateral agreement. The conflict ended with Pakistan withdrawing its forces following international pressure.
The Paris Agreement's temperature goal is to limit global warming to well below:
Correct Answer: C. 2°C above pre-industrial levels
The Paris Agreement's Article 2 sets the goal of holding the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. The 1.5°C threshold has been increasingly emphasized given scientific evidence that even 2°C would have severe consequences. The 2018 IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C highlighted the significant differences in impacts between 1.5°C and 2°C scenarios.