India's Indo-Pacific Strategy
India's Indo-Pacific Strategy promotes a free, open, and inclusive rules-based order, integrating security, economic, and connectivity initiatives like SAGAR...
Indian Navy warships INS Udaygiri (stealth frigate) and INS Kavaratti (anti-submarine warfare corvette) visited Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as part of an operational deployment. This visit aims to boost maritime cooperation and deepen defence ties between India and Vietnam, reflecting their Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and India's commitment to stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Durable syllabus ideas for revision — not article memory.
India's Indo-Pacific Strategy promotes a free, open, and inclusive rules-based order, integrating security, economic, and connectivity initiatives like SAGAR...
India and Vietnam's Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026) strengthens defence and maritime cooperation, aligning with India's Indo-Pacific vision.
Previous year Prelims questions on overlapping themes and topics.
Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):
1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among the navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. The inaugural IONS was held in February 2008 in New Delhi, India. The Indian Navy served as the Chair for the first two years (2008-2010). Statement 2 is correct. IONS is indeed a voluntary initiative that aims to promote maritime cooperation among the navies of countries bordering the Indian Ocean. It provides a platform for discussions on regional maritime security issues and fosters friendly relationships between participating nations.
The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this visit ?
1. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg
2. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation
3. Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific
4. Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: During the visit, an MoU was signed to strengthen cooperation in traditional medicine between Gujarat Ayurveda University and German institutions. (An earlier MoU in late 2025 was agreed upon between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and Charité Universitätsmedizin in Berlin, not the University of Hamburg). Statement 2 is Correct: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Youth Hockey Development was officially signed between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation. Statement 3 is Correct: The two nations announced the establishment of a new bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific, alongside a Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue. Statement 4 is Incorrect: Following the Chancellor's focus on Gujarat, Germany announced the appointment of an Honorary Consul in Ahmedabad to foster closer cooperation in the western region, rather than in Lucknow. Since the question asks for the statements that are not correct, statements 1 and 4 fit the criteria. Therefore, the correct option is B.
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 ?
Statement 1 is correct. The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations, and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Statement 2 is correct. The General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly. Statement 3 is correct. Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.
In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
All 6 participants of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation are member countries bordering the basins of the Mekong and Ganga rivers, aiming to collaborate on various initiatives. These countries are: - India - Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Thailand - Vietnam Hence, China & Bangladesh are not part of the Mekong-Ganga Corporation.
Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries?
* India signed the ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with Russia. * India and Russia have a long-standing strategic partnership in the field of civil nuclear cooperation. * The agreement aims to enhance collaboration in areas such as nuclear fuel cycle management, nuclear power projects, and research in nuclear science and technology. * Russia has been a key partner in India's nuclear energy sector, particularly through Rosatom, which has been involved in building Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu. * Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States have also engaged in nuclear cooperation with India but were not part of this specific agreement.
Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct?
1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.
Select the answer using the code given below :
* Statement 1 is incorrect: Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023 was a joint military exercise between India and Sri Lanka. * Statement 2 is correct: The ninth edition of Joint Military exercise “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” commenced in Aundh (Pune). * Statement 3 is correct: The Scope of the exercise includes synergizing joint responses during counter-terrorist operations. * Statement 4 is correct: 15 personnel from Indian Air Force and five personnel from Sri Lankan Air Force participated in the exercise.
In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?
India signed the Additional Protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreement on May 15, 2009. An additional protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between the Government of India and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities entered into force on 25 July 2014. Hence option 1 is correct.
The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -
The Two-State Solution is used in the context of the Israel-Palestine issue. It envisages an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel west of the Jordan River.
Which one of the following pairs is **not** correctly matched ?
(Indian Army Corps) : (Headquarters)
Option A is correctly matched: The 3 Corps (Spear Corps) is headquartered at Rangapahar Military Station in Dimapur, Nagaland. It operates under the Eastern Command and handles counter-insurgency and border defense in the Northeast. Option B is correctly matched: The 4 Corps (Gajraj Corps) is headquartered in Tezpur, Assam. It operates under the Eastern Command and is primarily responsible for defending the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. Option C is correctly matched: The 14 Corps (Fire and Fury Corps) is headquartered in Leh, Ladakh. It operates under the Northern Command and guards the Kargil-Leh frontiers with China and Pakistan, as well as the Siachen Glacier. Option D is incorrectly matched: The 33 Corps (Trishakti Corps) is headquartered in Sukna (near Siliguri), West Bengal, and not in Srinagar. It operates under the Eastern Command and is responsible for the Sikkim sector and the strategically vital Siliguri Corridor. The Indian Army corps headquartered in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, is the 15 Corps (Chinar Corps). Therefore, the correct option is D.
Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS):
1. The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS.
2. The IAFS mechanism was instituted under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: The Third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) was hosted in New Delhi in October 2015. The first and second summits were held in 2008 (New Delhi) and 2011 (Addis Ababa), respectively, making the 2015 event the third edition. Statement 2 is incorrect: The India-Africa Forum Summit was institutionalized in 2008 to serve as the official platform for African-Indian relations. While Jawaharlal Nehru was a pioneer of Afro-Asian solidarity (e.g., the Asian Relations Conference of 1947), the IAFS is a distinct 21st-century initiative and was not established in 1951.
Previous year Mains questions mapped to overlapping GS syllabus topics.
Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.
Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment.
How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience.
Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.
Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer.
The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate.
The article states, 'INS Udaygiri, a stealth frigate, and INS Kavaratti, an anti-submarine warfare corvette, are part of the Eastern Fleet'.
The article explicitly states, 'This visit aims to boost maritime cooperation and deepen defence ties between India and Vietnam, reflecting their Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and India's commitment to stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.'
Statement 1 is correct: The article mentions 'indigenously designed and constructed warships'. Statement 2 is incorrect: The article states they 'are part of the Eastern Fleet'. Statement 3 is correct: The article highlights, 'The visit assumes added significance as it marks the Indian Navy’s first major presence in Vietnam since India and Vietnam elevated their bilateral ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2026'.
Introduce India-Vietnam ties, elaborate on maritime cooperation's role in regional security, and conclude with future prospects and challenges.
Explain the role of indigenous defence capabilities in foreign policy, link it to strategic partnerships, and discuss its impact on India's regional influence and 'Act East' policy.