UPSC Prelims 2017 Analysis

Explanation

Correct UN-Habitat's primary mandate, as established by the UN General Assembly, is to promote the development of socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. This includes ensuring adequate shelter for all residents.

Incorrect UN-Habitat partners with a wider range of stakeholders beyond just governments and local urban authorities. They collaborate with academic institutions, NGOs, private sector entities, and civil society organizations to achieve their goals.

Correct UN-Habitat's work aligns with the broader UN objectives of poverty reduction and access to essential services.

Hence, statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Explanation

India signed a deal to develop the Chabahar port with Iran. Apart from the bilateral agreement between India and Iran, a trilateral transit and trade corridor deal was also signed by India, Iran and Afghanistan which would ensure easy movement of goods between the three countries, bypassing Pakistan.

The Chabahar port is situated in South Eastern part of Iran and on the northern coast of Gulf of Oman. It is surrounded by Afghanistan in the North, Pakistan in the North-East and India in the East.

The location of the Chabahar port is of strategic importance to India in linking trade routes from the Indian Ocean to Afghanistan, Central Asia and also to Europe; thereby avoiding a land route through Pakistan.

Explanation

Neither statement is correct.

Incorrect The Nuclear Security Summits were not held under the UN. They were a series of international conferences initiated by the United States in 2010, outside of any formal international organization. The summits brought together world leaders to discuss ways to secure nuclear materials and prevent nuclear proliferation. However, the summits haven't been held since 2016.

Incorrect The International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) is an independent group of arms control and non-proliferation experts. It's not an organ of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). While the IAEA might collaborate with the IPFM on some issues, it's a separate entity.

Explanation

The Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) is negotiated between India and the European Union (EU).

Explanation

The trade facilitation decision is a multilateral deal to simplify customs procedures by reducing costs and improving their speed and efficiency.

Correct India has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the WTO. This signifies India's official acceptance and implementation of the agreement's provisions.

Correct The TFA is indeed a part of the WTO's Bali Ministerial Package of 2013. This package refers to a collection of agreements reached during the Ninth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in Bali, Indonesia. The TFA was a landmark achievement within this package.

Incorrect The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) came into force in February 2017, not January 2016. It required ratification by two-thirds of WTO members before taking effect.

Explanation

APMCHUD is an intergovernmental mechanism for collaboration and cooperation in the field of housing and development among Asia Pacific countries.

The 1st APMCHUD was held in New Delhi, India from 13th-16th December 2006 on the theme of A Vision for Sustainable Urbanization in the Asia-Pacific by 2020. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

The Conference of APMCHUD is a biennial event .

• This event is hosted by one of the member countries whose offer is consented to by the members in the previous conference of the APMCHUD. Hence, statement 2 is also incorrect.

Explanation

Only the second statement (2) is correct about the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).

Incorrect The inaugural IONS was held in February 2008 in New Delhi, India. The Indian Navy served as the Chair for the first two years (2008-2010).

Correct IONS is indeed a voluntary initiative that aims to promote maritime cooperation among the navies of countries bordering the Indian Ocean. It provides a platform for discussions on regional maritime security issues and fosters friendly relationships between participating nations.