India & Neighbours (Nepal, BD, SL) — Set 2
International Relations · भारत और पड़ोसी देश · Questions 11–20 of 140
India played a decisive military role in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. The war lasted approximately:
Correct Answer: B. 13 days
The 1971 India-Pakistan War that led to Bangladesh's liberation lasted only about 13 days from December 3 to December 16, 1971. India's decisive military intervention under General Sam Manekshaw led to the surrender of approximately 93,000 Pakistani soldiers, the largest military surrender since World War II. December 16 is celebrated as Vijay Diwas in India and as Victory Day (Bijoy Dibosh) in Bangladesh.
The BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement stands for:
Correct Answer: B. Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal
BBIN stands for Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal, and the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement was signed in 2015 to allow the movement of passenger and cargo vehicles across these four countries. The agreement aims to promote regional connectivity and trade in South Asia by removing barriers to cross-border transport. Bhutan later stepped back from ratifying it, but the other three countries moved forward with implementation.
The Padma Bridge, inaugurated in 2022, is located in which country?
Correct Answer: C. Bangladesh
The Padma Bridge is located in Bangladesh, spanning the Padma River (Ganges) and connecting Munshiganj district on the north with Shariatpur and Madaripur districts on the south. Inaugurated in June 2022, it is 6.15 km long and is the longest bridge in Bangladesh. Originally planned with World Bank funding, Bangladesh completed it with its own resources after corruption allegations led the World Bank to withdraw.
The Akhaura-Agartala rail link connects India's northeast with which country?
Correct Answer: D. Bangladesh
The Akhaura-Agartala rail link connects Agartala in Tripura (India) with Akhaura in Bangladesh, significantly reducing travel time between the two places. This cross-border railway line was inaugurated in 2023 and is expected to boost trade and people-to-people connectivity between India's northeast and Bangladesh. It is part of India's broader strategy to integrate its northeastern states with South and Southeast Asia through Bangladesh.
The Rohingya refugee crisis primarily affects Bangladesh due to refugees fleeing from:
Correct Answer: B. Myanmar's Rakhine State
The Rohingya refugees fled primarily from Myanmar's Rakhine State following military crackdowns, especially the major military operation of August 2017 that the UN described as ethnic cleansing. Over 700,000 Rohingya refugees crossed into Bangladesh during 2017, adding to earlier refugees. Bangladesh now hosts over one million Rohingya refugees in camps near Cox's Bazar, creating a massive humanitarian crisis.
Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's Prime Minister who maintained close ties with India, was replaced by which leader in 2024?
Correct Answer: B. Muhammad Yunus
Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Prize-winning microfinance pioneer and founder of Grameen Bank, became the head of Bangladesh's interim government in August 2024 following Sheikh Hasina's resignation and departure from the country. Hasina fled to India after a mass uprising led by students over quota system protests turned into a broader movement against her government. Yunus leads the interim administration tasked with stabilising Bangladesh and holding new elections.
India's Operation Cactus in 1988 was a military intervention to protect the government of which neighbouring country?
Correct Answer: C. Maldives
Operation Cactus was a swift military operation launched by India in November 1988 to protect Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's government from a coup attempt. Around 1,600 Indian paratroopers were airlifted to Maldives and neutralised the mercenaries led by Abdullah Luthufee within hours. The operation is often cited as an example of India's rapid-response military capability and commitment to protecting its neighbours.
The Rajiv Gandhi-Jayewardene Accord of 1987 between India and Sri Lanka was primarily about:
Correct Answer: B. Resolution of the Tamil ethnic conflict
The Rajiv Gandhi-Jayewardene Accord (also called the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord) of July 1987 was signed to resolve the ethnic conflict involving Tamil militants and the Sri Lankan government. The accord resulted in the LTTE laying down arms (partially) and India deploying the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to enforce the ceasefire. The IPKF, however, ended up fighting the LTTE and was withdrawn in 1990 without fully achieving its objectives.
The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was deployed in Sri Lanka between which years?
Correct Answer: B. 1987–1990
The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was deployed in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990 following the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord signed by Rajiv Gandhi and President Jayewardene. The IPKF was tasked with disarming the LTTE and other Tamil militant groups but ended up in direct conflict with the LTTE. The force was withdrawn in 1990 at the request of the new Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa, having suffered significant casualties.
Fishing rights disputes between India and Sri Lanka primarily occur in which body of water?
Correct Answer: C. Palk Strait
Fishing rights disputes between India and Sri Lanka primarily occur in the Palk Strait, the narrow stretch of water separating Tamil Nadu from northern Sri Lanka. Indian fishermen, especially from Rameswaram and Nagapattinam, frequently cross into Sri Lankan waters to fish, leading to their arrest by the Sri Lankan Navy. The dispute involves both livelihoods and maritime boundary issues, and has been a persistent irritant in bilateral relations.