UPSC Civil Services · 2024 · GS 2
Original exam: 10 marks
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Brainstorm this paper →GS 2 · International relations
Recent diplomatic overtures reveal that Iran has floated a conditional proposal to the United States via regional mediators to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz within a seven-day window. This development offers a potential reprieve to global energy markets reeling from acute maritime disruptions, rising crude prices, and heightened military tensions in the Persian Gulf.
GS 2 · International relations
The recent attack on the merchant vessel MV Cape Dao in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Oman, has resulted in the tragic death of an Indian seafarer, Suraj Yadav. The vessel, which carried 20 Indian crew members, became a target of a kinetic incident that prompted an urgent rescue operation by the Royal Navy of Oman. Nineteen crew members were successfully evacuated, underscoring the immediate dangers posed by the volatile maritime corridors near the Arabian Peninsula. This event highlights the persistent challenges to maritime security and the critical necessity of regional cooperation in ensuring the safety of Indian maritime professionals who are integral to global trade operations. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the security risks inherent in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the diplomatic complexities involved in protecting citizens in international waters.
GS 2 · International relations
On September 20, 2026, a new border pact between Pakistan and China was officially announced, aimed at formalizing administrative arrangements along their shared frontier. While the agreement is presented by the signatories as a technical demarcation effort, it directly concerns disputed territories in the Kashmir region, which India considers an integral part of its sovereign territory. The development has drawn immediate diplomatic objection from New Delhi, as it challenges India's historical claims and signifies a deepened strategic nexus between Islamabad and Beijing. This event highlights the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Himalayas, where bilateral agreements are increasingly utilized to assert territorial control and strengthen regional partnerships.