Microtheme: GroupingsXNeighbourhood —
12 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2026] Match List I (BIMSTEC Centre) with List II (Location):
   A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory
   B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre
   C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate
   D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility
   1. NOIDA 2. Bengaluru 3. Colombo 4. Thimphu
   • (a) A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
   • (b) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
   • (c) A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
   • (d) A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
   Correct Answer: (C) A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
2. [2022] Consider the following :
   1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
   2. Missile Technology Control Regime
   3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
   India is a member of which of the above ?
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 3 only
   • (c) 2 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
3. [2017] Consider the following in respect of 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 navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
4. [2016] Consider the following statements:
   The India-Africa Summit
   1. held in 2015 was the third such Summit
   2. was actually initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Correct Answer: (A) 1 only
5. [2016] Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of
   • (a) African Union
   • (b) Brazil
   • (c) European Union
   • (d) China
   Correct Answer: (D) China
6. [2015] With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’ consider
   the following statements :
   (1) It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
   (2) It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
7. [2015] In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are
   not a participant/participants?
   (1) Bangladesh
   (2) Cambodia
   (3) China
   (4) Mayanmar
   (5) Thailand
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2, 3 and 4
   • (c) 1 and 3
   • (d) 1, 2 and 5
   Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3
8. [2015] India is a member of which among the following?
   (1) Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
   (2) Association of South-East Asian Nations
   (3) East Asia Summit
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 3 only
   • (c) 1, 2 and 3
   • (d) India is a member of none of them
   Correct Answer: (B) 3 only
9. [2011] With reference to “Look East Policy” of India, consider the following statements:
   1. India wants to establish itself as an important regional player in East Asian affairs.
   2. India wants to plug the vacuum created by the termination of the Cold War.
   3. India wants to restore the historical and cultural ties with its neighbours in Southeast and East Asia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 1 and 3 only
   • (c) 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only
10. [2010] Consider the following statements:
    1. The Commonwealth has no charter, treaty or constitution
    2. All the territories/countries once under the British empire (jurisdiction/rule/mandate) automatically joined the Commonwealth as its members.
    Which of the statement given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
11. [2009] In the latter half of the year 2008, which one of the following countries pulled out of Commonwealth of Independent States ?
    • (a) Azerbaijan
    • (b) Belarus
    • (c) Georgia
    • (d) Kazakhstan
    Correct Answer: (C) Georgia
12. [2009] Other than Venezuela, which one among the following from South America is a member of OPEC?
    • (a) Argentina
    • (b) Brazil
    • (c) Ecuador
    • (d) Bolivia
    Correct Answer: (C) Ecuador