MCQs with answers on the topic “The Role of India in South Asian Regional Cooperation (SAARC)”

1. Which year was the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) established?

a) 1980
b) 1985
c) 1990
d) 1995
Answer: b) 1985

2. How many founding members does SAARC have?

a) 7
b) 8
c) 9
d) 10
Answer: b) 8

3. Which of the following countries is NOT a member of SAARC?

a) Bangladesh
b) Sri Lanka
c) Myanmar
d) Maldives
Answer: c) Myanmar

4. Who is considered the driving force behind the establishment of SAARC?

a) India
b) Pakistan
c) Bangladesh
d) Sri Lanka
Answer: a) India

5. Where is the permanent Secretariat of SAARC located?

a) Colombo
b) Dhaka
c) Kathmandu
d) New Delhi
Answer: c) Kathmandu

6. India played a key role in SAARC’s efforts for regional economic cooperation through the creation of which initiative?

a) BIMSTEC
b) SAFTA
c) BRICS
d) SCO
Answer: b) SAFTA

7. The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement was signed in which year?

a) 1995
b) 2001
c) 2004
d) 2006
Answer: c) 2004

8. Which of the following is NOT a focus of SAARC’s regional cooperation?

a) Economic cooperation
b) Environmental protection
c) Cultural exchange
d) Military alliances
Answer: d) Military alliances

9. India’s leadership in SAARC is most evident in its focus on which of the following?

a) Strengthening regional security
b) Promoting economic integration
c) Forming a political union
d) Military cooperation
Answer: b) Promoting economic integration

10. Which Indian Prime Minister initiated the concept of SAARC?

a) Jawaharlal Nehru
b) Indira Gandhi
c) Rajiv Gandhi
d) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Answer: c) Rajiv Gandhi

11. Which of the following countries is a member of SAARC, but is not part of the South Asian subcontinent?

a) Bhutan
b) Nepal
c) Afghanistan
d) Sri Lanka
Answer: c) Afghanistan

12. What is the primary aim of SAARC?

a) To promote regional military cooperation
b) To foster economic growth and regional integration
c) To act as a security alliance
d) To create a common currency
Answer: b) To foster economic growth and regional integration

13. Which initiative by India was aimed at enhancing SAARC’s cooperation on education and technology?

a) India-ASEAN cooperation
b) Digital India
c) SAARC Development Fund
d) Nalanda University
Answer: d) Nalanda University

14. Which country has historically had strained relations with India within the SAARC framework?

a) Sri Lanka
b) Pakistan
c) Bangladesh
d) Nepal
Answer: b) Pakistan

15. Which event has challenged India’s leadership role in SAARC?

a) Indo-Pakistani wars
b) The blockade of Nepal by India
c) The 2016 Uri attack and Pakistan’s suspension from SAARC
d) The emergence of BIMSTEC
Answer: c) The 2016 Uri attack and Pakistan’s suspension from SAARC

16. Which of the following is an important initiative India has supported within SAARC for poverty alleviation?

a) SAARC Agriculture Centre
b) SAARC Disaster Management Centre
c) SAARC Development Fund
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

17. Which of the following is a key area of cooperation in SAARC, where India has shown significant leadership?

a) Maritime security
b) Water resource management
c) Defence cooperation
d) International law
Answer: b) Water resource management

18. India has initiated cooperation with SAARC nations in which key sector to boost regional development?

a) Tourism
b) Defence
c) Information technology
d) Renewable energy
Answer: c) Information technology

19. Which Indian initiative was aimed at enhancing cooperation between SAARC nations in the field of trade?

a) Make in India
b) Act East Policy
c) Sagarmala Project
d) SAFTA
Answer: d) SAFTA

20. What is the main challenge faced by SAARC in achieving its objectives?

a) Lack of funds
b) Political differences among member states
c) Limited focus on climate change
d) Lack of common goals
Answer: b) Political differences among member states

21. India’s role in SAARC has been integral to which of the following agreements aimed at reducing trade barriers in South Asia?

a) South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)
b) SAARC Development Fund (SDF)
c) The SAARC visa exemption scheme
d) SAARC Regional Center for Banking
Answer: a) South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)

22. Which Indian Prime Minister emphasized “Neighborhood First” as a key approach to SAARC?

a) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
b) Manmohan Singh
c) Narendra Modi
d) Indira Gandhi
Answer: c) Narendra Modi

23. Which country, despite its strategic location, has had limited engagement in SAARC due to political tensions with India?

a) Nepal
b) Bhutan
c) Afghanistan
d) Pakistan
Answer: d) Pakistan

24. In the context of India’s relationship with SAARC, what is the significance of the 2014 summit?

a) India initiated the SAARC Development Fund
b) India hosted the summit, showcasing regional leadership
c) It led to the suspension of Pakistan from SAARC
d) It marked the creation of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)
Answer: b) India hosted the summit, showcasing regional leadership

25. The SAARC Satellite, launched in 2017, was India’s contribution to fostering cooperation in which area?

a) Disaster management
b) Education
c) Economic development
d) Telecommunications
Answer: a) Disaster management

26. India’s economic engagement with SAARC nations includes which of the following sectors?

a) Information technology
b) Textiles
c) Energy and infrastructure development
d) Military alliances
Answer: c) Energy and infrastructure development

27. India’s relationship with which SAARC member is critical due to shared water resources and agricultural cooperation?

a) Afghanistan
b) Bangladesh
c) Sri Lanka
d) Nepal
Answer: b) Bangladesh

28. Which Indian initiative aimed at connecting the SAARC region through trade and transport networks?

a) SASEC
b) SAARC Agriculture Centre
c) India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline
d) Project Mausam
Answer: a) SASEC

29. Which Indian project was introduced to assist in improving the educational infrastructure of SAARC countries?

a) Nalanda University
b) SAARC Scholarship Scheme
c) Skill India
d) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
Answer: b) SAARC Scholarship Scheme

30. The 2016 SAARC Summit was postponed due to which of the following reasons?

a) Economic disagreement
b) Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism
c) Political instability in Bangladesh
d) Nepal’s domestic conflict
Answer: b) Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism

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These MCQs cover a wide range of topics about India’s role in SAARC and its contributions, reflecting the complexities and challenges involved in regional cooperation.