Daily Prelims MCQs — International Relations – 11th July 2025
- TPP
- Jul 11
- 7 min read
Welcome to today’s handpicked set of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) from the International Relations — crafted specially for the UPSC Prelims! These questions aren’t just a quiz — they’re a smart way to see how current affairs connect with core concepts, just like UPSC asks in the exam.
Each question is based on recent news and backed by clear explanations to help you build strong links between dynamic events and static knowledge.
Today’s topics include: Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, INS Tamal, Red Sea, River Seine, Biofuture Platform, Dustlik and more...
Click Here to read the Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP).
QUESTION 1
Identify the West African country described by the following statements:
Recognized as one of the region’s rapidly advancing economies, it maintains a strong and growing economic partnership with India, especially in trade and investments.
India stands as the top destination for this country's exports, with gold constituting over 70% of India’s imports from it.
Which of the following countries best fits the above description?
(a) Nigeria
(b) Benin
(c) Senegal
(d) Ghana
Answer (d)
Explanation:
During his international engagements, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on visits to several nations across Africa and South America and also participated in the BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro. Significantly, he became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ghana in nearly thirty years.
Ghana, under President John Mahama—who had previously visited India in 2015 for the India-Africa Forum Summit—has emerged as one of the most dynamic economies in West Africa. Bilateral relations between Ghana and India have seen considerable growth, with trade and investment ties strengthening over time.
India serves as the leading destination for Ghana's exports, and gold makes up more than 70% of the imports India receives from Ghana, underscoring the depth of their economic engagement.
Must Read:
QUESTION 2
The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative was launched to enhance supply chain resilience and ensure stable access to vital resources. With reference to this initiative, consider the following countries:
India
Australia
France
Russia
Japan
Which of the above are part of this initiative?
(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 1, 2, 4 and 5
(d) 1 and 2 only
Answer (a)
Explanation:
The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative is a collaborative effort under the Quad grouping, aimed at reinforcing economic security by diversifying and safeguarding supply chains for essential minerals. These critical materials are vital for the production of advanced technologies including semiconductors, batteries, and renewable energy components.
The Quad is a strategic coalition composed of India, Australia, Japan, and the United States. The mineral initiative stems from a broader agenda of increasing regional economic resilience and reducing dependency on single-country sources.
The initiative does not include France or Russia, as they are not part of the Quad framework. A meeting involving External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya marked the formal rollout of this critical economic initiative.
QUESTION 3
Recently, the Indian Navy inducted INS Tamal, a state-of-the-art guided missile frigate. This warship was developed by which of the following countries?
(a) United States
(b) France
(c) Russia
(d) United Kingdom
Answer (c)
Explanation:
The Indian Navy has officially commissioned INS Tamal, a modern, Russian-origin guided missile frigate outfitted with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles capable of engaging both surface and land targets. This commissioning marks a significant milestone, as INS Tamal is the final naval vessel to be procured from an overseas shipbuilder, in line with India’s move towards defence indigenisation and self-reliance.
The warship was formally inducted at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, and will soon sail to its operational base in Karwar, Karnataka. According to the Indian Navy, INS Tamal is engineered for blue water operations and can conduct missions in all four domains of naval warfare: aerial, surface, sub-surface, and electromagnetic.
This vessel represents the eighth ship in the Project 1135.6 class, a series of stealth frigates built by Russia for India. It is also the second unit of the Tushil-class, following INS Tushil, which was inducted in December of the previous year.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following nations have a coastline along the Red Sea?
Egypt
Sudan
Jordan
Israel
Yemen
Djibouti
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 3, 4, 5 and 6
(d) 1, 2, 5 and 6
Answer (d)
Explanation:
A recent maritime security alert reported an armed attack on a vessel sailing near Yemen’s coastline in the Red Sea, underscoring the region’s geopolitical volatility. The Red Sea lies between northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by several strategically important countries.
On the western shore, the Red Sea touches Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
On the eastern side, it is flanked by Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Additionally, while Jordan and Israel do not have coastlines directly on the Red Sea proper, both have access to the Gulf of Aqaba, a northern extension of the Red Sea.
However, for the purpose of identifying countries with coastlines along the main body of the Red Sea, the correct set includes:
Egypt,
Sudan,
Yemen, and
Djibouti.
Read all about Red Sea here
QUESTION 5
The River Seine, recently featured in international news, flows through the capital city of which of the following countries?
(a) Belgium
(b) Monaco
(c) France
(d) Switzerland
Answer (c)
Explanation:
The River Seine has made headlines as Paris prepares to reintroduce swimming in its waters — an activity that had been officially banned for over a century due to high pollution levels and navigational risks. Since 1923, swimming outside of regulated bathing zones was prohibited. However, a €1.4 billion (approximately $1.5 billion) cleanup initiative has transformed the river’s condition, enabling it to host events during the 2024 Paris Olympics, including the triathlon and marathon swimming.
While occasional spikes in bacteria levels (due to rainfall) led to temporary delays in competition schedules, the overall success of the river rejuvenation project marks a major milestone in urban environmental restoration.
The Seine is a defining natural feature of France’s capital, Paris, and played a central role in the Olympic opening ceremony. Hence, the correct answer is France.
QUESTION 6
The Biofuture Platform is a multilateral initiative aimed at advancing a sustainable and low-carbon bioeconomy. Based on official information, which of the following countries are member nations of this platform?
China
India
United States
Brazil
Japan
Russia
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 4, 6
(b) 3, 4, 5, 6
(c) 1, 2, 3, 4
(d) All of the above
Answer (c)
Explanation:
The Biofuture Platform, launched in 2016 under Brazil’s leadership, is a coalition of 23 member countries dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration in building a global low-carbon bioeconomy. Its goal is to promote sustainable practices and the development of bio-based technologies.
Among the countries listed:
China, India, United States, and Brazil are active members of the initiative.
Japan is not a member but holds observer status.
Russia is not part of the platform, either as a member or observer.
According to biofutureplatform.org, the full list of member countries includes notable economies like Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Indonesia, and South Africa, among others, but not Russia or Japan as formal members.
Thus, the correct set of member countries from the given list is:China, India, United States, and Brazil, making Option (c) the right answer.
QUESTION 7
Regarding the joint military exercise ‘Dustlik’, consider the following statements:
This bilateral exercise is conducted between the armed forces of India and Uzbekistan.
The sixth edition, held in April 2025, focused on counter-terrorism operations in sub-conventional warfare scenarios and included active participation from both the Army and Air Force.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (c)
Explanation:
Exercise ‘Dustlik’ — meaning “friendship” in the Uzbek language — is an annual joint military drill conducted alternately between India and Uzbekistan, aimed at deepening bilateral defence cooperation and improving joint operational capabilities.
The sixth edition of this exercise was hosted at the Foreign Training Node (FTN) in Aundh, Pune, from April 16 to 28, 2025. It involved rigorous joint training in counter-terrorism tactics within sub-conventional warfare environments, emphasizing physical endurance, planning coordination, tactical maneuvers, and special arms proficiency. Notably, this edition also incorporated elements from both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force — expanding the scope of inter-service interoperability.
Previous editions were held in locations like Termez, Uzbekistan, and Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, demonstrating the rotational nature of the exercise between the two nations.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following is recognized as the only tripartite agency within the United Nations system?
(a) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
(b) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
(c) International Labour Organization (ILO)
(d) International Seabed Authority
Answer (c)
Explanation:
Established in 1919, the International Labour Organization (ILO) holds the distinction of being the only tripartite United Nations agency. This unique structure brings together representatives from three key stakeholders: governments, employers, and workers across its 187 member states.
The ILO plays a central role in shaping international labour standards, framing policies, and implementing programs that promote decent work conditions and social justice globally. This tripartite framework ensures balanced representation and collaborative decision-making on labour-related issues.
As per the official website (ilo.org), this institutional design empowers the ILO to craft solutions that reflect diverse interests and realities of the global workforce.
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