International Relations

Q.1 – Consider the following countries :

1. Armenia
2. Azerbaijan
3. Croatia
4. Romania
5. Uzbekistan

Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States ?

(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 5
(d) 3, 4 and 5

Option (c) is correct: The organization of Turkic States (then called the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States – Turkic Council) was established in 2009 as an intergovernmental organization to promote comprehensive cooperation among the Turkic States. Its four founding member states are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Türkiye. During the 7thSummit held in Baku in October 2019, Uzbekistan joined as a full member. Hungary received observer status at the Organization during its 6th Summit in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic in September 2018. And later in the 8th Summit held in November 2021, Turkmenistan joined as an Observer Membeofto the Organization.

Q.2 – With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements :

1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Option (d) is correct:

Statement 1 is correct: the coastal States exercise sovereignty over their territorial sea which they have the right to establish its breadth up to a limit not to exceed 12 nautical miles; foreign vessels are allowed “innocent passage” through those waters.

Statement 2 is correct: Under Article 17 of the UNCLOS III Right of Innocent Passage is defined as “Subject to this Convention, ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea”, and the Passage is defined under Article 18.

Statement 3 is correct: The coastal State shall delineate the outer limits of its continental shelf, where that shelf extends beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured, by straight lines not exceeding 60 nautical miles in length, connecting fixed points, defined by the coordinates of latitude and longitude.

Q.3 – Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news ?

(a) It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.
(b) China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea. –
(c) A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.
(d) Though International Court of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.

Option (b) is correct: The 50-year-old controversy between Japan, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and Taiwan over the sovereignty of a group of tiny, uninhabited islets and rocks in the East China Sea, administered by Japan and referred to as the Senkaku Islands in Japan.

Q.4 – Consider the following pairs :
Country – Important reason for being in the news recently

1. Chad — Setting up of permanent military base by China
2. Guinea — Suspension of Constitution and Government by military
3. Lebanon — Severe and prolonged economic depression
4. Tunisia — Suspension of Parliament by President

How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs

Option (c) is correct:

Option 1 is not correct: China established its first, and so far only, overseas military base in the eastern African nation of Djibouti in 2017. The facility is strategically located near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait linking the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. and A permanent Chinese military installation in Equatorial Guinea is the culmination of nearly a decade’s investment in Africa – and will not be the last of such bases on the continent’s Atlantic coast.

Option 2 is correct: In Guinea, military leaders detain the president, declaring the dissolution of government and suspension of the constitution.

Option 3 is correct: Lebanon’s severe and prolonged economic depression is, according to the World Bank, ‘likely to rank in the top 10, possibly top 3, most severe crisis episodes globally since the mid-nineteenth century.

Option 4 is correct: President Kais Saied invoked an emergency act, Article 80, from Tunisia’s constitution on Sunday (July 25), removed the Prime Minister, and suspended the Parliament the next day. Saied took charge of the executive powers in the country promising the appointment of a new leader chosen by him. Saied has relieved cabinet ministers of the country and appointed acting ministers.

Q.5 – With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements :

1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 3 only
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2

Option (a) is correct: In most cases, accreditation at the UN is a formality whereby the General Assembly approves specific individuals to represent a Member State. According to this procedure, the Head of State or Government or Minister for Foreign Affairs of a Member State submits documentation to the UN Secretary-General stating that the named individuals are entitled to represent that Member State. The documentation is referred to a Credentials Committee appointed by the General Assembly at the beginning of each regular session (month of September).

Thus, the review of the credentials of UN Member States is an annual process. The Credentials Committee examines the credentials and determines whether they are complete and have been issued by the proper authority, but it does not generally inquire into the legitimacy of the issuing authority. The Committee then submits a report to the General Assembly recommending either rejection or approval of the credentials of the representatives of all Member States. 6 Typically, the General Assembly adopts the Committee’s recommendations without discussion.

Q.6 – Which one of the following statements best describes the ‘Polar Code’ ?

(a) It is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
(b) It is the agreement of the countries around the North Pole regarding the demarcation of their territories in the polar region.
(c) It is a set of norms to be followed by the countries whose scientists undertake research studies in the North Pole and South Pole.
(d) It is a trade and security agreement of the member countries of the Arctic Council.

Option (a) is correct: The International Maritime Organization has adopted a mandatory Polar Code to provide for safe ship operation and environmental protection in the polar regions. If you operate a SOLAS or MARPOL ship in Arctic or Antarctic waters, then your ship will soon need to comply with all or part of this Code.

Q.7 – With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements :

1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Option (d) is correct:

Statement 1 is correct: The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.

Statement 2 is correct: Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.

Statement 3 is correct: Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.