​Two together: on the Japanese Prime Minister’s visit to India

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

1. A. India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran
2. B. India to Central Asia via China
3. C. India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar
4. D. India to Europe through Azerbaijan

What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

1. A. India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.
2. B. India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
3. C. India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
4. D. Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ?

1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
2. IMT Trilateral Highway
3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line

Select the answer using the code given below :

1. A. 1 and 2
2. B. 2 and 3
3. C. 1 and 3
4. D. 2 only

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.

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2, 3 and 4
3. C. 1 and 3 only
4. D. 1, 2 and 5 only

‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -

1. A. African Union
2. B. Brazil
3. C. European Union
4. D. China

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :

| List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) |
|---|---|
| A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory | 1. NOIDA |
| B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre | 2. Bengaluru |
| C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate | 3. Colombo |
| D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility | 4. Thimphu |

1. A. A: 3, B: 2, C: 1, D: 4
2. B. A: 3, B: 1, C: 2, D: 4
3. C. A: 4, B: 2, C: 1, D: 3
4. D. A: 4, B: 1, C: 2, D: 3

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 :

1. A. 2 and 3
2. B. 1 and 4
3. C. 3 and 4
4. D. 1 only

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?

1. A. Japan
2. B. Russia
3. C. The United Kingdom
4. D. The United States of America

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?

1. A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

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?

1. A. 1, 2 and 4
2. B. 1 and 3
3. C. 2 and 5
4. D. 3, 4 and 5

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.

With reference to the recent visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. India and Japan declared a joint intent to continue with an 'updated' Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) posture. 2. The visit occurred amidst the U.S. expressing renewed enthusiasm for the Quad grouping. 3. Japan committed to supporting India's energy resilience along the maritime energy transport value chain.

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 1 and 2 only
3. C. 1 and 3 only
4. D. 1, 2 and 3

During the Japanese Prime Minister's visit to India, Japan underscored its attention to India's northeastern regions. In this context, which of the following organizations was mentioned as a partner for Japan in connecting these regions with the Bay of Bengal?

1. A. ASEAN
2. B. SAARC
3. C. BIMSTEC
4. D. IORA

The joint statement issued during the Japanese Prime Minister's visit to India mentioned "serious concerns" regarding which of the following? 1. The prevailing situation in the South China Sea. 2. The prevailing situation in the East China Sea. 3. The safety of energy-carrying ships and sailors during the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2 only
3. C. 1 and 2 only
4. D. 1, 2 and 3

"India and Japan declared a joint intent to continue with an ‘updated’ Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) posture, ring-fencing bilateral ties from multilateral arrangements." In light of this statement, analyze how India-Japan bilateral cooperation is evolving to navigate global geopolitical shifts and uncertainties, particularly concerning China and energy security.

Introduce the context of the Japanese PM's visit and the significance of the FOIP statement. Discuss key areas of cooperation such as an updated FOIP posture, energy resilience, and maritime domain awareness. Analyze how these initiatives address challenges posed by China's influence, the changing U.S. stance on multilateral groupings, and global energy security concerns. Conclude on the strategic importance of this evolving bilateral relationship for regional stability.

Japan's focus on connecting India's northeastern regions with "relevant partners and regional organisations" of the Bay of Bengal region, including through projects like the Matarbari port, signifies a strategic shift. Examine the potential implications of this enhanced regional connectivity for India's Act East policy and the broader security and prosperity of the Bay of Bengal region.

Begin by outlining Japan's initiatives in India's northeast and the Bay of Bengal, mentioning specific projects and partners like BIMSTEC. Discuss how these efforts align with and strengthen India's Act East policy. Examine the potential economic benefits (industrial value chains, trade) and security implications (maritime domain awareness, counterbalancing influence) for the region. Conclude by highlighting the opportunities and challenges in realizing the full potential of this enhanced connectivity.