UPSC International Relations – Chapter 11: West Asia and the Gulf (26 MCQs)
UPSC International Relations – Chapter 11: West Asia and the Gulf (26 MCQs) – 26 questions, subject: International Relations. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.
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The Gulf Cooperation Council was founded in:
Correct Answer: A [1981]
Explanation:
The GCC was formally launched at the Abu Dhabi summit in May 1981 by six Gulf monarchies.
The secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council is at:
Correct Answer: D [Riyadh]
Explanation:
The GCC's permanent secretariat is located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
The India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement came into force in:
Correct Answer: C [2022]
Explanation:
May 2022.
The first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel, in 2017, was:
Correct Answer: D [Narendra Modi]
Explanation:
Narendra Modi's visit in July 2017 was the first by an Indian Prime Minister, and ties became a strategic partnership.
The Abraham Accords of 2020 first normalised Israel's relations with:
Correct Answer: D [the UAE and Bahrain]
Explanation:
The Abraham Accords were signed in September 2020 by Israel with the UAE and Bahrain; Morocco and Sudan followed later.
I2U2 is a grouping of India, Israel, the United States and:
Correct Answer: B [the UAE]
Explanation:
I2U2 stands for India, Israel, the UAE and the US; the second 'U' is the United Arab Emirates.
The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was announced at the:
Correct Answer: B [G20 summit, New Delhi, 2023]
Explanation:
IMEC was announced by India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Germany, Italy and the EU at the G20 New Delhi summit, September 2023.
India operates the Shahid Beheshti terminal at the port of:
Correct Answer: A [Chabahar]
Explanation:
India Ports Global runs the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar on Iran's Gulf of Oman coast under a ten-year contract of May 2024.
Which country has traditionally been India's largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG), under a long-term contract extended in 2024 to 2048?
Correct Answer: C [Qatar]
Explanation:
Qatar has long been India's main LNG source, and the QatarEnergy–Petronet deal signed in February 2024 extends supplies to 2048.
Consider the following statements:
1. India recognised the State of Palestine in 1988.
2. India supports a two-state solution to the Israel–Palestine question.
3. India is a member of the Arab League.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]
Explanation:
India recognised Palestine in 1988 and backs a two-state solution, but it is not a member of the Arab League.
Assertion (A): The Gulf region is vital for India's economy.
Reason (R): The Gulf supplies much of India's oil and gas and hosts millions of Indian workers whose remittances support families in India.
Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]
Explanation:
Oil, gas and remittances from Indian workers in the Gulf are exactly why the region is vital for India's economy.
Operation Sindhu (2025) evacuated Indian citizens from:
Correct Answer: C [Iran and Israel]
Explanation:
Operation Sindhu, launched in June 2025 during the Iran–Israel war, brought Indians home from Iran and later Israel.
The BAPS Hindu temple inaugurated in February 2024 is located in:
Correct Answer: D [Abu Dhabi]
Explanation:
The BAPS Hindu Mandir, the first traditional stone Hindu temple in the UAE, was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi in February 2024.
India set up a Strategic Partnership Council in 2019 with:
Correct Answer: C [Saudi Arabia]
Explanation:
The India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council agreement was signed during the Prime Minister's visit to Riyadh in October 2019.
The Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 was proposed by:
Correct Answer: C [Saudi Arabia]
Explanation:
endorsed by the Arab League.
The Houthi movement, whose attacks disrupted Red Sea shipping from 2023, is based in:
Correct Answer: D [Yemen]
Explanation:
The Houthis (Ansar Allah) control much of north-western Yemen and attacked Red Sea shipping from late 2023.
Arrange the following in chronological order:
1. India establishes full diplomatic relations with Israel
2. IMEC is announced
3. The GCC is founded
4. The Abraham Accords are signed
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct Answer: C [3-1-4-2]
Explanation:
1981, 1992, 2020, 2023.
The peace treaty between Egypt and Israel was signed in:
Correct Answer: D [1979]
Explanation:
Egypt and Israel signed their peace treaty in March 1979, following the Camp David Accords of 1978.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in:
Correct Answer: A [1967]
Explanation:
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of June 1967.
The Hamas-led attack on Israel that set off the war in Gaza took place on 7 October:
Correct Answer: B [2023]
Explanation:
Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, setting off the war in Gaza.
What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?
Correct Answer: C [India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.]
Explanation:
Chabahar, with road and rail links onward, gives India a route to Afghanistan and Central Asia that bypasses Pakistan.
Which of the following is not a member of 'Gulf Cooperation Council'?
Correct Answer: A [Iran]
Explanation:
Iran is not a GCC member.
The area known as 'Golan Heights' sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to:
Correct Answer: B [Middle East]
Explanation:
a Syrian plateau held by Israel since 1967.
Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as 'Arab Spring' originally started from:
Correct Answer: D [Tunisia]
Explanation:
December 2010.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Statement-II: The 'Arab Peace Initiative' mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Correct Answer: C [Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect]
Explanation:
Israel has ties with Egypt, Jordan and the Abraham Accords States, but it never signed the Arab Peace Initiative.
The term "Two state Solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of:
Correct Answer: B [Israel]
Explanation:
Israel and a State of Palestine side by side.
➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U14 · International Relations (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-international-relations
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