90. India’s Trilateral Highway connects the country to which two South-East Asian nations?
[SSC CGL (15 September 2025, Shift 2)]
- (A) Bangladesh and Bhutan
- (B) Nepal and Bhutan
- (C) Myanmar and Thailand
- (D) Nepal and Bangladesh
Answer: (C) Myanmar and Thailand
Explanation: The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway is designed to link Moreh in Manipur through Myanmar to Mae Sot in Thailand. This route supports the Act East policy by improving road access, trade and people-to-people connectivity with Southeast Asia.
89. Consider the following statements:
1. The 1996 Mahakali Treaty with Nepal includes the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project.
2. The 1996 Ganga Water Treaty with Bangladesh provides for Farakka water sharing throughout all 12 months.
Which is correct?
[SSC CGL (12 September 2025, Shift 2)]
- (A) 1 only
- (B) 2 only
- (C) Both 1 and 2
- (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (A) 1 only
Explanation: The Mahakali Treaty of 1996 between India and Nepal addresses integrated development of the Mahakali River, including Pancheshwar. The Ganga Water Sharing Treaty of 1996 covers lean-season sharing at Farakka, rather than a uniform year-round allocation mechanism.
88. The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project links India with which country?
[SSC CGL (18 September 2025, Shift 3)]
- (A) China
- (B) Myanmar
- (C) Bangladesh
- (D) Nepal
Answer: (B) Myanmar
Explanation: Kaladan links Indian ports to Sittwe in Myanmar and continues through inland waterway and road connections towards Mizoram. The project is intended to improve northeastern connectivity and provide an alternative transport route via the Bay of Bengal.
87. Exercise Surya Kiran is conducted jointly by the Indian Army and which neighbour?
[UPSC CDS-I, General Studies (13 April 2025)]
- (A) Bangladesh
- (B) Bhutan
- (C) Singapore
- (D) Nepal
Answer: (D) Nepal
Explanation: Surya Kiran is a regular India–Nepal military exercise held alternately in the two countries. Training involves mountain and jungle operations, counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance. The exercise reflects the long-standing defence ties between the Indian and Nepalese armies.
86. Consider the 2007 India–Bhutan Friendship Treaty:
1. It respects sovereignty and prevents use of either territory for harm to the other.
2. Article 4 permits Bhutan to export arms to third countries with India’s consent.
3. It promotes free trade and cultural cooperation.
Which statements are correct?
[SSC Selection Post Graduate Level (30 July 2025, Shift 3)]
- (A) 1 and 2 only
- (B) 2 and 3 only
- (C) 1 and 3 only
- (D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: The 2007 treaty updated the 1949 framework and places stronger emphasis on sovereign equality, security and friendship. Its provisions promote economic, cultural and educational cooperation, but the suggested unrestricted third-country arms-export provision is not an accurate description.
85. What was covered by the 2025 India–Bhutan Joint Group of Customs discussions?
[SSC Selection Post Graduate Level (24 July 2025, Shift 3)]
- (A) Only seaport construction
- (B) Cross-border data exchange and customs risk-management capacity building
- (C) Abolition of all customs posts
- (D) Creation of a single national currency
Answer: (B) Cross-border data exchange and customs risk-management capacity building
Explanation: Officials discussed modernising border customs processes through information exchange, cargo monitoring and technical capacity building. Such measures support efficient legitimate trade between India and Bhutan, which share land crossings in West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
84. Pro-monarchy demonstrations in 2025 made news in which neighbouring country?
[IB ACIO Grade-II (17 September 2025, Shift 2)]
- (A) Thailand
- (B) Cambodia
- (C) Bhutan
- (D) Nepal
Answer: (D) Nepal
Explanation: Nepal abolished its monarchy and became a federal republic in 2008. Pro-monarchy groups nevertheless remained active, with renewed demonstrations in 2025 demanding the restoration of the former Hindu monarchy. Bhutan, by contrast, retains a constitutional monarchy.
83. The Yala Glacier, declared dead in 2025, is situated in which country?
[RRB Group D (2 December 2025, Shift 3)]
- (A) India
- (B) China
- (C) Bhutan
- (D) Nepal
Answer: (D) Nepal
Explanation: Yala Glacier is in the Langtang region of Nepal. Scientists have used its retreat to illustrate accelerating Himalayan ice loss from rising temperatures. The glacier’s decline has implications for ecosystems, long-term water resources and mountain communities.
82. Which regional currency-swap facility did India renew for 2024–27?
[SSC CGL (14 September 2025, Shift 1)]
- (A) SAARC Development Fund capital increase
- (B) SAARC Currency Swap Framework
- (C) SAARC Trade Insurance Scheme
- (D) SAARC Sovereign Credit Pool
Answer: (B) SAARC Currency Swap Framework
Explanation: India’s 2024–27 SAARC Currency Swap Framework supports short-term foreign-exchange liquidity assistance to eligible neighbouring SAARC central banks. It is operated through the Reserve Bank of India and seeks to strengthen regional financial stability during balance-of-payments pressures.
81. Among Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Pakistan, which has the greatest population?
[SSC MTS (11 November 2024, Shift 2)]
- (A) Bangladesh
- (B) Afghanistan
- (C) Bhutan
- (D) Pakistan
Answer: (D) Pakistan
Explanation: Pakistan has a larger population than Bangladesh, Afghanistan or Bhutan, making it the correct answer among those choices. It borders India to the northwest and was established in 1947 during the partition of British India.
