International Relations - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

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1)   India and which country signed an MoU for enhanced cooperation in health on Dec 14, 2017?
- Published on 15 Dec 17

a. Morocco
b. Marrakesh
c. Malta
d. Malaysia
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Morocco

Explanation:
India and Morocco signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for enhanced cooperation in the health sector.

Shri J P Nadda mentioned that both the countries share a strong and rich traditional relationship.

India is producer of quality generic medicines and drugs that are exported to more than 200 countries and has a strong and robust public health system monitored through National Health Mission.

Via this framework MOU between two countries, both the countries can work together in identified areas of cooperation as both countries have much to offer to each other in the field of health.

The main areas of cooperation include the following:

  • Non-communicable diseases, including child cardiovascular diseases and cancer;
  • Drug Regulation and Pharmaceutical quality control;
  • Communicable Diseases;
  • Maternal, child and neonatal health;
  • Hospital twinning for exchange of good practices and
  • Training in administration and management of health services and Hospitals
Another MoU was signed between Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry and Marrakech Mohamed VI University Hospital, Morocco in the presence of both the Ministers.

Under this MoU both the Institutes agreed to collaborate in the field of telemedicine.

The focus areas under this MoU will be Tele-Health Care, Health Education, technical support in controlling epidemics and support in rendering second opinion on various complicated cases.


2)   Sri Lanka has handed over which strategic port to China for a 99 year lease?
- Published on 14 Dec 17

a. Hambantota
b. Trincomalee Harbour
c. Port of Colombo
d. Port of Galle
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Hambantota

Explanation:
Sri Lanka has formally handed over its southern strategic port of Hambantota to China on 99-year lease.

Two Chinese firms managed by China Merchants Port Holdings Company (CMPort) and Sri Lanka Ports Authority will own port and the investment zone around it.

Hambantota port is strategically located right in middle of vital energy supply lines in Indian Ocean, connecting Middle East and East Asia.

It had gained strategic significance after Sri Lankan government had decided to build massive deep-sea port and airport with huge Chinese loans.
Background

The Sri Lankan government had signed a $1.1 billion deal in July 2017 to sell a 70% stake in Hambantota port to China.

Under the 99-year lease agreement, Sri Lanka received $300 million as initial payment. The deal was signed after port suffered heavy losses, making it impossible for Sri Lanka to repay its debts to China which was used to open Hambantota port in 2011.

Significance of Hambantota Port

  • For China, Hambantota port is crowning glory of its One Belt One Road project, which aims to build new Silk Road of trade routes between China and more than 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Middle East and Europe.
  • That project is underpinned by network of harbours across world that has put China in position to challenge US as the world's most important maritime superpower.
  • Other similar developments in region include Gwadar port in Pakistan, which is centrepiece of $55 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
  • India is apprehensive that the port is part of Chinese 'string of pearls' with an objective to surround India and dock its military vessels.
  • The String of pearls is a geopolitical theory on potential Chinese intentions in the Indian Ocean region.


3)   India is holding talks with ASEAN to extend which highway to Vietnam?
- Published on 14 Dec 17

a. India-Myanmar-Thailand
b. India-Myanmar-Korea
c. India-Myanmar-Bangladesh
d. India-Myanmar-China
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: India-Myanmar-Thailand

Explanation:
India is planning to hold talks with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to extend India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) highway up to Vietnam.

As per proposals from India, the 1,360 km long IMT highway from Moreh in India to Mae-Sot in Thailand can be extended to Vietnam via Laos and Cambodia.

The connectivity provided by expansion of IMT highway till Vietnam can generate an estimated $70 billion annually in incremental GDP and $20 million in incremental aggregate employment by 2025.

Besides, it will provide much required market for crops grown in hilly regions of Northeast India, thus benefiting growers in getting better price for their produce.

Besides, Government is also working to connect India with South East Asia is IMT Motor Vehicle Agreement (IMT MVA).

India, Myanmar and Thailand had commenced negotiations for finalising and implementing IMT MVA in 2014 to utilise physical road infrastructure on IMT Trilateral Highway.

India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) highway

  • The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is highway under construction under India's Act East policy that will connect Moreh, India with Mae Sot, Thailand via Myanmar.
  • The highway is expected to boost trade and commerce in ASEAN-India Free Trade Area, as well as with rest of Southeast Asia.


4)   India and Cuba have signed an MoU for enhanced cooperation in ______ sector on 6th Dec, 2017.
- Published on 07 Dec 17

a. Environment
b. Science
c. Industry
d. Health
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Health

Explanation:
India and Cuba signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for enhanced cooperation in the health sector, on Dec 6, 2017.

MOU on cooperation in the field of health and medicine between India and Cuba is important for exchanges in the health sector and to develop institutional framework for cooperation in the health sector between the two countries.

One potential area is pharmaceutical and biotechnology. Cuba has made remarkable strides in the field of bio-technology and pharmaceuticals.

The objective of this MoU is to establish comprehensive inter-ministerial and inter-institutional cooperation between the two countries in the field of health by pooling technical, scientific, financial and human resources with the ultimate goal of upgrading the quality and reach of human, material and infrastructural resources involved in health care, medical education & training, and research in both countries.

Main Areas of India-Cuba health MoU cooperation

The main areas of cooperation include:

  • Exchange & training of medical doctors, officials, other health professionals and experts
  • Assistance in development of human resources, health services and setting up of health care facilities
  • Short term training of human resources in health
  • Regulation of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and exchange of information;
  • Promotion of business development opportunities in pharmaceuticals and others identified by parties
  • Procurement of generic and essential drugs and assistance in sourcing of drug supplies;
  • Procurement of health equipment and pharmaceutical products;
  • Any other area of cooperation as may be mutually decided upon.
  • Procurement of health equipment and pharmaceutical products;
  • Collaboration in the prevention of NCDs of mutual interest, such as neurocardiovascular diseases, cancer, COPDs, mental health and dementia, with an emphasis on SDG3 and related factors;
  • Collaboration in the field of climate change impact on communicable diseases and vector borne diseases;
  • Nutritional aspects of food intake, including malnutrition (over-nutrition and under-nutrition) in the light of the SDG2 and organization of nutritional services;
  • Safety of production, transformation, distribution and food delivery;
  • Research and training of food industry operators;
  • Information and communication to citizens on hygiene and food safety and healthy eating habits;


5)   India was re-elected to Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) whose headquarters are in which city?
- Published on 04 Dec 17

a. Paris
b. Geneva
c. London
d. New Delhi
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: London

Explanation:
India was re-elected to Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at an assembly of body at its headquarters in London.

India was elected under category B that represents nations with largest interests in international sea borne trade. It secured second-highest 144 number of votes from member-countries, just after Germany's 146.


6)   The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has entered into 2 Bilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) in November 2017 marking the first ever Bilateral APAs with which country?
- Published on 04 Dec 17

a. Netherlands
b. New Zealand
c. Switzerland
d. Germany
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Netherlands

Explanation:
These two APAs pertain to Electronics and Technology sectors of economy. It also covers international transactions that include Distribution, Provision of Business Support Services, Provision of Marketing Support Services etc.

With this, the total number of APAs entered into by CBDT has gone up to 186. This includes 171 Unilateral APAs and 15 Bilateral APAs.


7)   India has signed a Bilateral Agreement for Navy Cooperation with which country?
- Published on 01 Dec 17

a. Sri Lanka
b. Thailand
c. Indonesia
d. Singapore
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Singapore

Explanation:
India and Singapore have signed Bilateral Agreement for Navy Cooperation that will allow Indian Navy ships logistical support, including refuelling at Singapore's Changi Naval Base located near disputed South China Sea (SCS).

The agreement was announced during second Defence Ministers' Dialogue between India and Singapore held in New Delhi.

The Bilateral Agreement for Navy Cooperation will allow Indian Navy ships sailing through disputed SCS or in eastern waters of Andaman Sea to refuel, restock and if needed rearm at Singapore's Changi naval base. It will allow Indian Navy to directly engage with Singaporean authorities to use their facilities unlike present structure that take weeks if political clearances need to be obtained in Singapore.


8)   Which country has agreed to setup a National Crisis Management Centre for India to handle disaster and other emergency situations?
- Published on 29 Nov 17

a. United States
b. China
c. Russia
d. Pakistan
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Russia

Explanation:
Russia has agreed to assist India to set up National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) in the country to handle disaster and other emergency situations.

This was agreed during a meeting between Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Russian Minister for Emergency Situations Vladimir Puchkov in Moscow.

Both sides agreed that EMERCOM of Russia would cooperate with India in the establishment of the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) in India.

India also reviewed the progress made on the agreement on disaster management signed in 2010.

The countries also agreed on a programme of training of specialists and sharing of each other's experiences as well as best practices in the field of Disaster Management.

The two leaders later signed a joint implementation plan for 2018-19 for cooperation in disaster management.

They also reviewed the implementation of the agreement on information security signed in October 2016.

Both sides also welcomed the ongoing cooperation and the regular exchange of visits between the two National Security Councils.


9)   India and which country signed comprehensive anti-terror pact agreement for enhancing bilateral cooperation in Nov 2017?
- Published on 28 Nov 17

a. Germany
b. Pakistan
c. Russia
d. China
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Russia

Explanation:
India and Russia have signed comprehensive anti-terror pact agreement for enhancing bilateral cooperation in tackling all forms of terrorism and countering threat posed by narcotics.

The agreement was signed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Russia's Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev in Moscow after they held wide-ranging talks.

The ministers underlined that cooperation in the field of security is an important aspect of this bilateral relationship further strengthen cooperation to combat terrorism, extremism and radicalism.

The new agreement between India's MHA and Russia's interior ministry will replace the October 1993 agreement between both the countries. This agreement will help in expanding and deepening cooperation on issues related to internal security.

The Indian embassy statement said the two leaders agreed to cooperate in combating new challenges, enhance exchange of information, cooperate in building a data base and in training of police and investigative agencies.

Indian and Russian representatives also signed the joint action plan for countering the threat posed by narcotics and the agreement will provide legal framework for bilateral cooperation in this field.

The agreement on internal security is an updated and more comprehensive agreement on cooperation on security between the MHA and the Russian ministry of interior.

This pact provides a comprehensive approach for help in security related issues, including information technology crimes, counterfeiting currency, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, trafficking in human beings, economic crimes, crimes related to intellectual property, cultural property.


10)   China is forging strategic ties with which African nation?
- Published on 24 Nov 17

a. Ethiopia
b. Zambia
c. Liberia
d. Dijbouti
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Dijbouti

Explanation:
Djibouti, where China has opened its first overseas military base, on 23rd Nov agreed to establish strategic partnership to strengthen all-round cooperation with Beijing.

The announcement came as Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

Mr. Guelleh is the first head of state of an African country to visit the country since the ruling Communist Party of China's (CPC's) Congress in October endorsed a second five-year term for Mr. Xi.

China is willing to work with Djibouti to speed up the implementation of the results of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), jointly forge ahead with Belt and Road construction and fully strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields.

China welcomes Djibouti to participate in the Belt and Road construction and is ready to advance cooperation on infrastructure projects including railways, ports, water supply, liquefied natural gas pipeline, as well as building of a free trade area and cooperation in agriculture.


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