#361

Which country withdrew from the 'Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI) in 2023/2024?

(a) Pakistan

(b) Italy

(c) Hungary

(d) Iran

Explanation: Italy officially withdrew from China's Belt and Road Initiative in December 2023 (effective 2024), becoming the first G7 nation to leave the pact.

#362

In 2024, the United States, Japan, and the Philippines held their first-ever trilateral summit to address security challenges in which region?

(a) The Baltic Sea

(b) The South China Sea

(c) The Persian Gulf

(d) The Arctic Ocean

Explanation: The historic trilateral summit held in Washington D.C. in April 2024 focused on countering China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and strengthening maritime cooperation among the three nations.

#363

Which country officially joined NATO in March 2024, becoming the alliance's 32nd member?

(a) Finland

(b) Sweden

(c) Ukraine

(d) Austria

Explanation: Sweden officially joined NATO on March 7, 2024, ending centuries of neutrality and strengthening the alliance's northern flank in response to Russian aggression.

#364

The 'No Limits' partnership, reaffirmed in 2024, refers to the strategic relationship between which two major powers?

(a) USA and UK

(b) China and Russia

(c) India and France

(d) Germany and Poland

Explanation: China and Russia have described their strategic partnership as having 'no limits,' deepening economic, military, and diplomatic ties to counter Western influence.

#365

Which major trade policy measure did the European Union impose on China in October 2024?

(a) A ban on all Chinese textiles

(b) Increased tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles (EVs)

(c) Sanctions on Chinese agricultural products

(d) A blockade of Chinese shipping

Explanation: Following an anti-subsidy investigation, the EU imposed significant additional tariffs (up to 35.3%) on Chinese electric vehicles, citing unfair state subsidies that distorted the European market.

#366

The 'iCET' initiative, which saw expanded cooperation in 2024-2025, is a technology partnership between:

(a) USA and China

(b) USA and India

(c) EU and Japan

(d) Russia and Brazil

Explanation: The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) is a flagship framework between the USA and India to foster cooperation in space, semiconductors, defense, and telecommunications.

#367

Which group of nations officially expanded its membership in January 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE?

(a) G7

(b) NATO

(c) BRICS

(d) ASEAN

Explanation: BRICS expanded significantly in 2024, adding new members from the Middle East and Africa to challenge the Western-dominated global order.

#368

Which country signed a landmark deal with the US in 2024 to purchase 31 MQ-9B Predator drones?

(a) Ukraine

(b) India

(c) Taiwan

(d) South Korea

Explanation: India signed a deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance drones from the US to boost its surveillance and strike capabilities along its borders and in the Indian Ocean.

#369

Which European country became the first G7 nation to officially withdraw from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2024?

(a) Germany

(b) France

(c) Italy

(d) Canada

Explanation: Italy officially withdrew from the Belt and Road Initiative in early 2024, citing that the economic benefits had not met expectations and seeking to realign with Western allies.

#370

Which resource did China place export controls on in 2023-2024, affecting the global semiconductor supply chain?

(a) Copper and Iron

(b) Gallium and Germanium

(c) Gold and Silver

(d) Lithium and Cobalt

Explanation: China imposed export controls on gallium and germanium, critical metals used in semiconductor manufacturing, in retaliation against US-led tech restrictions.

#371

Which US Act, passed in 2024, included provisions effectively demanding the divestiture of TikTok by its Chinese parent company?

(a) The CHIPS Act

(b) The Inflation Reduction Act

(c) The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act

(d) The Digital Markets Act

Explanation: This legislation required ByteDance to sell TikTok's US operations or face a nationwide ban, escalating US-China tech tensions.

#372

The 2024 G7 Summit, which focused heavily on supporting Ukraine and addressing Chinese overcapacity, was held in:

(a) Japan

(b) Germany

(c) Italy

(d) Canada

Explanation: Italy hosted the G7 summit in Apulia (Puglia) in June 2024.

#373

Which nation is China's largest trading partner in the 'Global South' as of 2024?

(a) Brazil

(b) India

(c) Russia

(d) South Africa

Explanation: Brazil is a massive trading partner for China, particularly in agricultural exports like soy and beef, and iron ore.

#374

In 2024, the US deployed a mid-range missile system (Typhon) to which Asian country for joint exercises, drawing strong condemnation from China?

(a) Vietnam

(b) South Korea

(c) Philippines

(d) Thailand

Explanation: The US deployed the Typhon missile system to the Philippines for military exercises in 2024, marking a significant strengthening of the US posture in the First Island Chain.

#375

The 'Atlantic Declaration' of 2023-2024 is a new economic security framework between:

(a) US and UK

(b) US and France

(c) UK and EU

(d) Canada and UK

Explanation: The Atlantic Declaration established a new economic partnership between the US and UK to cooperate on critical technologies, clean energy, and supply chains.

#376

Which country has acted as a primary supplier of dual-use components and microchips to Russia, helping it bypass Western sanctions in 2024?

(a) Iran

(b) North Korea

(c) China

(d) Turkey

Explanation: Western officials have repeatedly identified Chinese entities as the main source of dual-use goods (like machine tools and microelectronics) sustaining Russia's defense industrial base.

#377

Which country paused the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine in 2024 despite pressure from allies?

(a) France

(b) United Kingdom

(c) Germany

(d) Poland

Explanation: Germany, under Chancellor Scholz, consistently refused to send long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine due to fears of escalation with Russia.

#378

Which nation signed the 'Reciprocal Access Agreement' (RAA) with Japan in 2024 to facilitate troop visits?

(a) India

(b) Philippines

(c) Vietnam

(d) Thailand

Explanation: Japan and the Philippines signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement in 2024, allowing their military forces to train on each other's soil.

#379

Who serves as the President of the European Commission, driving the 'de-risking' strategy towards China in 2024-2025?

(a) Charles Michel

(b) Ursula von der Leyen

(c) Roberta Metsola

(d) Olaf Scholz

Explanation: Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected for a second term in 2024 and has been a key proponent of 'de-risking' (reducing economic dependency) rather than 'de-coupling' from China.

#380

The 'IMEC' corridor, announced at the G20 2023 and progressed in 2024, is designed to link:

(a) India, Middle East, Europe

(b) India, Myanmar, Thailand

(c) Indonesia, Malaysia, China

(d) Iran, Moscow, Central Asia

Explanation: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a US-backed infrastructure project intended to counter China's BRI and integrate economic markets.

January 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions