G20, BRICS, SCO & QUAD — Set 13
International Relations · G20, BRICS, SCO और QUAD · Questions 121–130 of 160
Which BRICS country withdrew from the group before formally joining BRICS+ in 2024?
Correct Answer: C. Argentina
Argentina was one of the six countries invited to join BRICS at the Johannesburg Summit in August 2023. However, Argentina under newly elected President Javier Milei (libertarian, pro-US) declined the BRICS invitation in December 2023 before formally joining in January 2024. The other five accepted the invitation.
The G20's 'Financial Stability Board' (FSB) was established to address what global financial risk?
Correct Answer: B. Systemic risks in the global financial system from large financial institutions
The Financial Stability Board (FSB), established in 2009 following the G20 London Summit recommendation after the global financial crisis, monitors and addresses systemic risks in the global financial system — particularly 'too big to fail' institutions (G-SIBs). FSB coordinates national financial authorities and international standard-setting bodies. India is an FSB member.
The '2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' (17 SDGs) was adopted by the UN in 2015. G20's role is to ensure what?
Correct Answer: B. G20 provides financing and policy leadership to accelerate SDG implementation in member and developing countries
G20's role in relation to the 2030 Agenda and SDGs is to provide financing momentum and policy coherence to accelerate SDG implementation. The G20 SDG Working Group coordinates G20 contributions to SDGs. India's G20 presidency specifically emphasized SDG acceleration through innovative financing and DPI.
BRICS nations have discussed creating a BRICS payment system as alternative to SWIFT. What would this system aim to do?
Correct Answer: B. Allow BRICS members to transact in local currencies bypassing dollar-dominated SWIFT
BRICS has discussed creating a BRICS payment system that would allow member countries to conduct transactions in local currencies, bypassing SWIFT (dominated by US-dollar system). Russia's exclusion from SWIFT after Ukraine invasion accelerated these discussions. India conducts some trade with Russia in Rupees; similar mechanisms are being explored across BRICS.
The QUAD Foreign Ministers Meeting held regularly addresses what?
Correct Answer: B. Diplomatic-level coordination on Indo-Pacific issues, China's assertiveness, and QUAD initiatives
QUAD Foreign Ministers Meetings (held annually or more frequently) coordinate QUAD diplomatic positions on Indo-Pacific issues — including China's maritime assertiveness, ASEAN centrality, freedom of navigation, and QUAD practical initiatives. India's EAM Jaishankar has participated in multiple QUAD Foreign Ministers meetings. The meetings produce joint statements on shared concerns.
The G20 'Energy Transition' agenda under India's presidency focused on what specific target?
Correct Answer: B. Tripling renewable energy capacity globally by 2030
India's G20 energy agenda advanced the commitment to triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030 (to about 11,000 GW). This was also connected to the COP28 outcomes. India pushed for energy transition with equity — allowing developing countries to transition without sacrificing economic development. India's Global Biofuels Alliance was part of this agenda.
India's BRICS Chairmanship in 2021 successfully advanced what despite COVID-19 pandemic constraints?
Correct Answer: B. Virtual 13th BRICS Summit with 95 outcomes
India's 2021 BRICS Chairmanship held the 13th BRICS Summit virtually (September 2021) due to COVID-19, achieving approximately 95 outcome documents and statements. Key outcomes included BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy, BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre, and digital trade discussions. It was one of BRICS' most productive chairmanships in terms of outcome documents.
The G7 Summit and G20 Summit: what is the key structural difference?
Correct Answer: B. G7 is a club of democracies; G20 includes both democracies and non-democracies
A key structural difference is that G7 is often described as a 'club of liberal democracies' (USA, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Canada) while G20 includes both democracies (India, Brazil, Australia) and authoritarian regimes (China, Russia, Saudi Arabia). G20's inclusiveness makes consensus more difficult but more globally representative. G7's decisions have moral authority; G20's decisions have broader economic weight.
The SCO 'Yekaterinburg Declaration' (2009) when India was an observer called for reform of what?
Correct Answer: B. IMF and World Bank governance
The SCO Yekaterinburg Declaration (2009), alongside the first BRIC Summit declaration, called for reform of IMF and World Bank governance to give emerging economies greater voice and voting power. This matched BRIC/BRICS priorities on global financial institution reform. India as an SCO observer endorsed these principles.
India's 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' (OSOWOG) initiative, promoted at G20, aims to do what?
Correct Answer: B. Build an interconnected global clean energy grid connecting solar surplus regions to deficit regions
PM Modi's 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' (OSOWOG) initiative proposes building an interconnected global electricity grid that can transfer surplus solar energy from sun-drenched regions to other regions at any time of day. India co-founded the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with France to advance solar energy globally. OSOWOG was presented at G20 and COP forums.