UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Joint Statement on Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of India and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Q1. Within the Government of India, bilateral relations with the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam are handled by which one of the following?

  • A. East Asia Division, Ministry of External Affairs
  • B. Southeast Asia & ASEAN Multilateral Division, Ministry of External Affairs
  • C. Indo-Pacific Division, Ministry of External Affairs
  • D. Indian Ocean Region Division, Ministry of External Affairs

Q2. Under the Joint Statement on the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (May 2026), which one of the following is the lead Indian public-sector entity that signed the flagship Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam's Institute for Technology of Radioactive and Rare Elements (ITRRE) for cooperation on rare-earth elements?

  • A. IREL (India) Limited
  • B. NMDC Limited
  • C. Hindustan Copper Limited
  • D. Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI)

Q3. The two new defence-related Lines of Credit of USD 120 million and USD 180 million to Vietnam, exchanged in August 2024 and reaffirmed under the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (May 2026), are operationalised from the Indian side by which one of the following institutions?

  • A. Reserve Bank of India
  • B. Export-Import Bank of India
  • C. State Bank of India
  • D. Small Industries Development Bank of India

Q4. With reference to India–Vietnam defence cooperation, in which year was the 'Joint Vision Statement on India–Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030' adopted?

  • A. 2015
  • B. 2016
  • C. 2020
  • D. 2022

Q5. At which one of the following forums did the Prime Minister of India announce the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) for the first time?

  • A. 14th East Asia Summit, Bangkok (2019)
  • B. Shangri-La Dialogue, Singapore (2018)
  • C. ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, New Delhi (2018)
  • D. G20 Summit, Osaka (2019)

Q6. With reference to the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (ECSP) between India and Vietnam announced in May 2026, which one of the following is the sole nodal ministry on the Indian side designated to coordinate the overall bilateral partnership, including its political, strategic and economic dimensions?

  • A. Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Commerce)
  • B. Ministry of External Affairs (Southeast Asia & ASEAN Division)
  • C. Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
  • D. NITI Aayog

Q7. The MoU on rare earth elements cooperation signed during the May 2026 elevation of India–Vietnam ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was concluded between Vietnam's Institute for Technology of Radioactive and Rare Elements (ITRRE) and which one of the following Indian entities?

  • A. Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL)
  • B. Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL)
  • C. IREL (India) Limited
  • D. Geological Survey of India

Q8. Which of the following is the inter-governmental body, established by the four lower-basin riparian states including Vietnam, that operationalises cooperation on the sustainable management of the water and related resources of the Mekong River basin?

  • A. Mekong River Commission (MRC)
  • B. Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Programme
  • C. Ayeyawady–Chao Phraya–Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS)
  • D. Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC)

Q9. Which one of the following is the longest river of Southeast Asia, whose distributaries (the Tien and the Hau) form a vast delta in southern Vietnam often described as the country's 'rice bowl'?

  • A. Mekong
  • B. Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady)
  • C. Salween (Thanlwin)
  • D. Chao Phraya

Q10. With reference to multilateral groupings/mechanisms in which both India and Vietnam are participating members, consider the following: 1. East Asia Summit (EAS) 2. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) 3. Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) 4. ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. East Asia Summit (EAS)
  2. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)
  3. Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC)
  4. ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. With reference to the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), consider the following statements: 1. The MGC was launched in 2000 at Vientiane, whereas the EAS was launched in 2005 at Kuala Lumpur. 2. India is a founding member of both the MGC and the EAS. 3. Unlike the EAS, the MGC does not include China among its participating countries. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The MGC was launched in 2000 at Vientiane, whereas the EAS was launched in 2005 at Kuala Lumpur.
  2. India is a founding member of both the MGC and the EAS.
  3. Unlike the EAS, the MGC does not include China among its participating countries.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3
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