Q21 of 29 Page 1

Note: The following questions are for visually impaired candidates only in lieu of question 21

(i) The expression South Asia usually includes which countries?


(ii) Which two countries of South Asia have successfully operated a democratic system?


(iii) Write the full form of SAARC and SAFTA.

The expression South Asia includes the following countries:

• Bangladesh


• Bhutan


• India


• The Maldives


• Nepal


• Pakistan


• Sri Lanka.


The region is considered to be a subcontinent because of its linguistic, social and cultural uniqueness. The Himalayas in the north and the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal in the south, west and east respectively provide a natural boundary to the region. Even though China is an important country, it is not considered to be a part of the region.


(ii) • India


• Sri Lanka


(iii) The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a regional initiative by the South Asian countries. It aims to develop cooperation through multilateral means and agreements. It was incorporated in 1985. But, due to the continuing political differences between the countries, SAARC was not completely successful.


The members of SAARC signed the South Asian Free Trade (SAFTA) agreement. It ensured the creation of a free trade zone for all of the South Asian countries. It was signed in 2004 and came into effect from 1 January 2006.


More from this chapter

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20

Note: The following questions are for visually impaired candidates only in lieu of question 20.
(i) Which party has won the maximum number of seats in Lok Sabha elections of 1984 and under whose leadership?


(ii) What was the most controversial decision taken by the National Front government in 1990?


(iii) Which Prime Minister started the New Economic Reforms and what was its outcome?

 21

In the given political outline map of South Asia, five countries have been marked as A, B, C, D and E. Identify them on the basis of information given below and write their correct names in the answer book along with the respective serial numbers of information used and concerned alphabet.


a. An important country, but is not considered to be a part of South Asia.


b. The country has a successful democratic system.


c. This country has both civilian and military rulers.


d. This country has a constitutional monarchy.


e. An island nation which was a sultanate till 1968.

 22

Highlight any three positive and three negative features each of the Soviet system in the Soviet Union.

OR


How far is it correct to say the international alliances during the Cold War era were determined by the requirements of the superpowers and the calculations of the smaller states? Explain.

 23

Analyse the three different views within India about the type of relationship India should have with the United States of America.

OR


Evaluate any three major factors responsible for making the European Union a political force from being an economic force.