Daily Prelims Quiz :Maratha Empire

Answer: Option C - United States

Explanation:

• India is considering importing Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs) from the United States to enhance its defense capabilities.
• The Javelin is a portable fire-and-forget missile system, while the Stryker is an armored combat vehicle used for rapid deployment.
• This move aligns with India's efforts to modernize its military and strengthen defense ties with the U.S. Hence, the correct answer is (c).

Answer: Option B - Uzbekistan

Explanation:

• A country is doubly landlocked if it is surrounded by landlocked countries.
• Uzbekistan is the only doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of only two in the world (the other being Liechtenstein).
• It is bordered by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan, all of which are landlocked.
• This geographical feature makes Uzbekistan unique in the region, making option (b) the correct answer.

Answer: Option B - Central Asia

Explanation:

• Kambar-Ata-1 is a major hydropower project on the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia.
• Planned since the Soviet era, it aims to enhance regional energy security and mitigate climate change.
• The $3.5 billion project is a collaboration among Central Asian nations to address power shortages and promote cooperation.
• Its location in Kyrgyzstan places it within the Central Asian region, making option (b) the correct answer.

Answer: Option D - A unique political and economic union with shared and independent competencies

Explanation:

• The European Union (EU) is a unique political and economic union where member states share sovereignty in areas like trade, competition, and monetary policy while retaining control over national matters such as defense.
• Unlike a federation, it lacks a fully centralized government but operates through supranational institutions like the European Commission.
• It is neither purely intergovernmental nor fully sovereign, making its governance structure distinct from traditional models.

Answer: Option C - To standardize port operations for efficiency and seamless trade facilitation

Explanation:

• The One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP) initiative aims to standardize port operations across India to enhance efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and facilitate seamless trade.
• It focuses on digitization, uniform procedures, and inter-port coordination to improve ease of doing business.
• Unlike privatization or centralized governance, ONOP seeks to streamline processes rather than restructure ownership or control, making trade more predictable and transparent while boosting India's maritime sector.