UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Modi meets Trump, raises safety of Indian sailors

Q1. Which of the following agencies operationalises the 24x7 control room activated in 2026 to monitor Indian-flag vessels and Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz?

  • A. Indian Coast Guard, under the Ministry of Defence
  • B. Directorate General of Shipping, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
  • C. Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), under the Indian Navy
  • D. Mercantile Marine Department, under the Ministry of External Affairs

Q2. With reference to the June 2026 Modi–Trump bilateral at the G7 Summit and earlier 2026 India–US engagements on West Asia, consider the following statements: 1. The June 2026 Modi–Trump bilateral was held on the sidelines of the G7 Summit at Évian-les-Bains, France, whereas the April 2026 leader-level India–US engagement on West Asia was a telephonic conversation. 2. Unlike the April 2026 phone call, the June 2026 bilateral did not discuss the Strait of Hormuz. 3. The G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting attended by EAM S. Jaishankar earlier in 2026 was also hosted by France. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The June 2026 Modi–Trump bilateral was held on the sidelines of the G7 Summit at Évian-les-Bains, France, whereas the April 2026 leader-level India–US engagement on West Asia was a telephonic conversation.
  2. Unlike the April 2026 phone call, the June 2026 bilateral did not discuss the Strait of Hormuz.
  3. The G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting attended by EAM S. Jaishankar earlier in 2026 was also hosted by France.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. As per the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, India's approximate share in the global seafarer workforce is:

  • A. About 4%
  • B. About 9%
  • C. About 15%
  • D. About 22%

Q4. In the context of safety of Indian seafarers, the 'Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)', often referred to as the 'Seafarers' Bill of Rights', is best described as:

  • A. An International Maritime Organization (IMO) convention exclusively governing ship construction and survey standards
  • B. An International Labour Organization (ILO) convention consolidating minimum standards for working and living conditions of seafarers
  • C. A United Nations treaty under UNCLOS that demarcates maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones
  • D. An IMO convention solely prescribing training, certification and watchkeeping standards for seafarers