UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The Xi-Trump summit — shadow boxing on Iran

Q1. The 1972 Shanghai Communiqué, in which the United States first acknowledged the 'one-China' position, was issued during a landmark visit to the People's Republic of China by which US President?

  • A. Richard Nixon
  • B. Gerald Ford
  • C. Jimmy Carter
  • D. Dwight Eisenhower

Q2. With reference to the 1972 Shanghai Communiqué and its context, consider the following statements: 1. It was issued during the first visit by a serving US President to the People's Republic of China. 2. The People's Republic of China had already replaced Taiwan (ROC) at the United Nations before the communiqué was issued. 3. Full US-PRC diplomatic relations were formally established in the same year the communiqué was issued. 4. The US President's visit took place while the United States was militarily involved in the Vietnam War. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. It was issued during the first visit by a serving US President to the People's Republic of China.
  2. The People's Republic of China had already replaced Taiwan (ROC) at the United Nations before the communiqué was issued.
  3. Full US-PRC diplomatic relations were formally established in the same year the communiqué was issued.
  4. The US President's visit took place while the United States was militarily involved in the Vietnam War.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3

Q3. Which one of the following is widely regarded as the world's single most important oil chokepoint, through which roughly one-fifth to one-fourth of globally traded seaborne oil passes?

  • A. Strait of Hormuz
  • B. Strait of Malacca
  • C. Bab-el-Mandeb
  • D. Suez Canal

Q4. Which one of the following determines the order in which member states hold the monthly rotating presidency (chair) of the UN Security Council?

  • A. English alphabetical order of the member states' names
  • B. Descending order of assessed financial contributions to the UN
  • C. Seniority of permanent (P5) members first, then elected members
  • D. Order of the states' admission to the United Nations

Q5. The characterisation of the May 2026 Trump-Xi Beijing summit as 'shadow boxing on Iran' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Iran was not the top formal agenda item for either side, yet each used its leverage over the Iran crisis to shape the bilateral bargaining posture
  • B. A formal US-China military exercise conducted jointly against Iranian forces in the Gulf
  • C. A public disagreement in which both leaders openly blamed each other for starting the war on Iran
  • D. A secret clause in the summit communiqué committing both powers to jointly occupy the Strait of Hormuz

Q6. At the May 2026 Trump-Xi Beijing summit, China agreed to purchase how many Boeing aircraft as part of the trade understandings reached?

  • A. 100
  • B. 200
  • C. 300
  • D. 500

Q7. During the 2026 West Asia conflict, which Union ministry publicly issued India's official updates on the safe transit of India-bound vessels through the Strait of Hormuz?

  • A. Ministry of External Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • C. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
  • D. Ministry of Defence

Q8. In India's MEA statements of June 2026, the 'MoU' after whose signing India-bound vessels resumed transit through the Strait of Hormuz refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A US-Iran understanding (signed 17 June 2026) to end the West Asia conflict
  • B. An India-Iran bilateral agreement guaranteeing passage for Indian-flagged tankers
  • C. A China-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran signed at the Beijing summit
  • D. A GCC-sponsored pact reopening the Strait under joint naval patrol

Q9. India's dependence on the Strait of Hormuz for its crude oil imports had fallen to roughly 41% by which period, down from about 55% in 2020?

  • A. First quarter (Q1) of 2025
  • B. 2010
  • C. 2018
  • D. 2023

Q10. With reference to China-Iran relations during the 2026 West Asia crisis, consider the following statements: 1. China is the world's largest buyer of Iranian crude oil. 2. China's Permanent Representative to the UN denied any military cooperation between China and Iran. 3. China, together with Russia, vetoed a Gulf-backed UN Security Council resolution to safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. 4. India overtook China as the largest buyer of Iranian oil in 2025. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. China is the world's largest buyer of Iranian crude oil.
  2. China's Permanent Representative to the UN denied any military cooperation between China and Iran.
  3. China, together with Russia, vetoed a Gulf-backed UN Security Council resolution to safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
  4. India overtook China as the largest buyer of Iranian oil in 2025.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4