This is the current affairs of 9 September 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. What is G20?
– The formation of the G20, or the Group of Twenty, took place in 1999 in response to the financial crisis.
– This financial crisis had an impact on East Asia and Southeast Asia.
– The objective of the G20 is to ensure global financial stability by including medium-income countries.
– It now consists of 21 members, and it will be known as G21 in the 2024 summit.
– It includes 19 countries and two organizations (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States), the European Union, and the African Union.
– his organization serves as a platform for international economic cooperation and plays a significant role in addressing all major international economic issues.
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2. Which countries and organizations signed MoU for ‘India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor’ during the G20 Summit?
a. India, UAE, Saudi Arabia
b. Italy, France, Germany
c. USA and European Union
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (7 countries and one organization – India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Italy, France, Germany, USA and European Union)
India Middle East Europe economic corridor
– During the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, an agreement was signed by India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Italy, France, Germany, the USA, and the European Union.
– This project will also benefit Israel and Jordan.
How long will this corridor be, and what will it include?
– This corridor will be 6,000 to 8,000 kilometers long, including a 3,500-kilometer sea route.
– The East Corridor will extend from India to the Arabian Gulf.
– The North Corridor will stretch from the Arabian Gulf to Europe.
– The majority of the road route will pass through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Greece, Italy, France, Germany, and other countries. Rail lines and roads will be constructed here.
– It will include submarine cables, energy grids, and telecommunication lines beneath the sea and on land.
– Connectivity between ports of countries will increase in its maritime section.
– Trade, clean energy exports, and clean electricity exports will become possible.
– This will contribute to the economic development of the connected countries.
What project will this corridor be an alternative to?
– This corridor will be an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
– The new corridor is an option to free several countries from China’s debt trap.
– Pakistan is a part of China’s BRI (Belt and Road Initiative), which India opposes because a significant portion of its projects in Pakistan passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
– BRI was launched in 2013.
– It includes both land and sea routes and is based on the ancient Silk Road.
What benefits will India gain from the corridor?
– After the corridor is built, India will save approximately 40% of the time in transporting goods from India to Europe.
– Currently, it takes 36 days to ship cargo from India to Germany; this route will save 14 days.
– Direct access to Europe will make import-export easier and cheaper for India.
Why is India involved in this project for these seven reasons?
– India and the United States were working in the Indo-Pacific region, but for the first time, they have become partners in the Middle East.
– India’s biggest obstacle to land connectivity with Central Asia, Pakistan, has been bypassed. – Pakistan had been trying to obstruct this effort since 1991.
– India has improved relations with Iran, but the plan for the Russia-Iran corridor, which extends from Iran to Eurasia, is being affected by American sanctions on Iran.
– India’s partnership with Arab countries has increased. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are also making efforts to establish permanent connectivity with India.
– The United States hopes that this mega connectivity project will bring political stability to the Arabian Peninsula and normalize relationships.
– The European Union had allocated 300 million euros for foundational infrastructure expenses during 2021-27. India has also become a part of this.
– The new corridor is an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), offering many countries relief from China’s debt trap.
– Involvement in the G20 will help in curbing China and Russia’s increasing influence in African countries.
Who will finance the project?
– A decision has not been made on this yet. All countries have agreed to discuss this further.
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3. Which country hinted at leaving China’s BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) during the G20 Summit?
a. Russia
b. Saudi Arab
c. Indonesia
d. Italy
Answer: d. Italy
Italy
Capital – Rome
Prime Minister – Georgia Meloni
– Italy is the only G7 nation to have signed on to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
– However, a decision has not yet been made on whether Italy will remain part of the BRI or not. It is said that the reasons for this decision may go beyond economic concerns.
– Italy’s Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, has requested time to announce a decision to distance Italy from China’s BRI project. She is also concerned that this decision could have an impact on trade.
– Meloni has stated that she will visit China in the coming months to discuss sensitive issues.
Why was Italy connected to BRI?
– Italy, which faced economic downturns three times in the last decade, chose the path of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at a time when it needed investment and infrastructure development. During that period, Italy did not have good relations with the European Union (EU), and the government could turn to China for funds. It is now being said that after four years, Italy has not gained much from this agreement.
China Issued a Threat
– Meanwhile, China’s ambassador in Italy had issued a warning that if Italy were to withdraw from the BRI agreement, there would be consequences to face.
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4. During the summit, PM Modi proposed G20 satellite mission, it is related to which of the following?
a. Nuclear Weapons Monitoring
b. Climate and Weather Monitoring
c. Ending Terrorism
d. Maritime Surveillance
Answer: b. Climate and Weather Monitoring
– India has proposed the G20 satellite mission for environmental and climate monitoring with the aim of assisting global South countries.
– During the ‘G20 Leaders’ Summit,’ PM Modi stated that this initiative would share climate and weather-related data with all countries, especially those in the global South.
– India invites all G20 nations to participate in this initiative.
– The term ‘global South’ is often used to refer to developing and least developed countries primarily located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
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5. ‘Global Biofuel Alliance’ was announced at the G20 Summit, who are its initial members?
a. India, Argentina, Bangladesh
b. Brazil, Italy, Mauritius
c. South Africa, UAE, USA
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (India, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, UAE, USA)
– This is a major and primary initiative under India’s G20 presidency.
– PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) in the presence of leaders from the United States, Brazil, the UAE, Singapore, Italy, Argentina, Bangladesh, and Mauritius.
Members of the Global Biofuel Alliance:
– Initial members: India, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, UAE, and the USA.
– Observer members: Canada, Singapore.
– In total, 19 countries and 12 international organizations have already agreed to join the GBA.
– Notably, major international organizations like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Economic Forum, International Energy Agency, International Renewable Energy Agency, and International Civil Aviation Organization have also committed to joining the alliance.
Goals of the Global Biofuel Alliance:
– Enhance international cooperation.
– Develop a robust biofuel market.
– Accelerate the use of sustainable biofuel as a fuel in transportation.
– Share policies and provide technical assistance for national biofuel programs.
What is Biofuel:
– Biofuel is a fuel obtained from plants and vegetation. One of its significant advantages is that it is environmentally friendly and does not produce pollution. Ethanol is one of the most common examples of biofuel.
– In India, there is a ‘National Biofuel Policy 2018’ that mandates the inclusion of 20% ethanol in petrol. It has been implemented in several cities.
Why is this initiative important for India:
– India is the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil.
– It relies on imports to fulfill over 85% of its needs.
– Increasing the use of biofuels is important to reduce dependence on energy imports and limit the carbon footprint of the country’s rapidly growing energy consumption.
World Biofuel Day : August 10th
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6. Which great man did the leaders of member and guest countries pay tribute to at the memorial site during the G20 Summit?
a. Atal Bihar Vajpayee
b. Mahatma Gandhi
c. Jawaharlal Nehru
d. Indira Gandhi
Answer: b. Mahatma Gandhi (Rajghat)
– On the second day of the G20 Summit on September 10, 2023, members, guests, and leaders of international organizations paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat.
– All the leaders observed a moment of silence during this time.
– Prime Minister Modi welcomed all the leaders with a khadi shawl at Rajghat and provided them with information about the place.
– Mahatma Gandhi is remembered worldwide for his unwavering commitment to non-violence and his supreme humanitarianism.
– Through the successful hosting of the G20 Summit, the Indian government has sent a message to the world that progress is achieved through the principles of Gandhi ji.
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7. New Delhi Declaration of G20
37 page declaration, 83 paragraphs in it
– The joint declaration of the G20 is 37 pages long and consists of 83 paragraphs.
– The consensus among all countries on the joint declaration is significant because in the summit held in Indonesia in November 2022, member countries could not reach an agreement on the declaration due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
– At that time, Russia and China had distanced themselves from comments made about the war. Written disagreements from these countries were included along with the joint declaration.
Main parts of Delhi declaration –
– All countries will work towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
– All countries should adhere to the rules of the UN Charter.
– A Biofuel Alliance will be formed.
– Emphasis will be placed on “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
– Multilateral development banking will be strengthened.
– Focus on the priorities of Global South.
A global policy will be formulated on cryptocurrencies.
– India has emphasized the need to create a common framework for dealing with debt.
– Green and low-carbon energy technologies will be worked on.
– All countries have criticized all forms of terrorism.
– International taxation…
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8. G20 expanded for the first time in 2023 after its establishment, who became its 21st member?
Who became the 21st member of G20?
a. Asian Union
b. African union
c. Bangladesh
d. NATO
Answer: b. African union
– The G20 summit at the Mandapam in India began on September 9th.
– During the inaugural session, PM Narendra Modi proposed making the African Union a permanent member of the organization.
– Following this, all members expressed their agreement on this proposal.
– In the summit to be held in Brazil in 2024, the organization will be known as G21.
– The establishment of G20 took place in 1999, and this expansion marks the first time it has occurred.
G20’s 21 Member Countries:
– India
– Argentina
– Germany
– Indonesia
– Italy
– Japan
– Republic of Korea
– Mexico
– Russia
– Saudi Arabia
– South Africa
– Turkey
– Australia
– Brazil
– Canada
– China
– France
– United Kingdom
– USA
– European Union
– African Union
– The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank are its representatives.
– It does not have a permanent secretariat or headquarters. The country that holds the chairmanship becomes its office location.
The African Union:
– It consists of 55 member countries formed from African continent nations.
– It was established in 2002.
– Before that, it operated as the Organization of African Unity (OAU), founded in 1963 by independent African states.
– The organization adopted the Lagos Plan of Action in 1980, which suggested that Africa should reduce dependence on the West by promoting intra-African trade.
– In 2002, the African Union replaced the Organization of African Unity with the goal of accelerating economic integration on the continent.
– Ali Asoman is the current Chairperson of the African Union.
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9. Which G20 summit was held on 9 and 10 September 2023?
a. 15th
b. 16th
c. 17th
d. 18th
Answer: d. 18th
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10. Name the Sherpa of 18th G20?
a. Amitabh Kant
b. Rakesh Verma
c. Arun Vijay
d. Narendra Modi
Answer: a. Amitabh Kant
– Sherpa of G20 is Amitabh Kant. In a way, Sherpa does the main work of creating coordination between all the agencies within the country and foreign agencies regarding this event.
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11. In which building of Delhi was the G20 summit held?
a. India Mandapam
b. Bharat Center
c. Bharat Mandapam
d. G-20 Pavilion
Answer: c. Bharat Mandapam
– This is the International Exhibition-Cum-Convention Center (IECC), which is named as the India Mart.
– The redevelopment of this convention center was done at a cost of 2,700 crore rupees.
– It has a seating capacity for more than 7,000 people.
– This convention center also includes an amphitheater with a seating capacity of 3,000 individuals, equivalent to three PVR theaters.
– The meeting rooms can accommodate up to 100 people at a time, and there is parking space for more than 5,500 vehicles.
– This complex, managed by the government agency India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), spans 123 acres.
The Wall of Democracy: 5,000 Years of Indian History
– In the Wall of Democracy, foreign guests will witness India’s 5,000-year democratic history. This wall is made up of 26 screen panels. These 26 panels tell stories from different times.
– Among them, India – the Mother of Democracy, the Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic era, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Mahajanapadas and Republics, Jainism, Buddhism, Kautilya and Economics, Megasthenes, Emperor Ashoka, Faxian, Khalimpur Tamrapatra of the Pala Empire, Shreni Sangha, Ancient Tamil Nadu city of Uthiramerur, Philosophical Foundations of Democracy, Krishna Deva Raya, Akbar, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Local Self-Governance, Indian Constitution, and Elections in Modern India are included.
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12. Whose statue was installed outside ‘Bharat Mandapam’, the venue of the G20 summit?
a. Nandi
b. Ashoka
c. Nataraja
d. Vishnu
Answer: c. Nataraja
– This is the world’s tallest Nataraja statue.
– It has a height of 27 feet, a width of 21 feet, and weighs approximately 18 tons.
– It is made of eight metals or ‘Ashtadhatu,’ which includes copper, zinc, lead, tin, silver, gold, mercury, and iron.
– The statue represents Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance pose, known as the Tandava.
– It was crafted by skilled artisans from the Swamimalai region of Tamil Nadu.
– This sculpture was created using the ‘Lost-Wax Casting’ method, which was a native technique of the Chola dynasty era.
Inspired by Three Temples:
– The design of the Nataraja statue draws inspiration from three renowned Nataraja sculptures – the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, the Uma Maheshwar Temple in Koneri Rajapuram, and the Brihadeshwara (Big) Temple in Thanjavur.
– All of these were originally constructed by the Cholas.
– The Chola dynasty ruled over a significant part of the Indian subcontinent, mainly during the 9th to 11th centuries CE.
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13. India gave guest country status to how many countries to invite to the G-20 Summit 2023?
a. Five
b. Seven
c. Nine
d. Ten
Answer: c. Nine
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14. India has given guest country status to which countries for G-20 summit 2023?
a. Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius
b. Nigeria, Oman, Singapore
c. Spain, UAE, Netherlands
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, UAE and Netherlands)
Nine guest countries also participated in the 2023 summit
– Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and UAE became the “guest countries” in this program.
– Bangladesh was the only South Asian neighboring country in the list of “guest countries” for the G20 summit.
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15. What is the theme of the 18th G20 Summit under the chairmanship of India?
a. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth · One Family · One Future)
b. one World
c. Guests are like God:
d. none of these
Answer: a. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth · One Family · One Future)
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16. PM Modi handed over the presidency of G20 to the President of which country?
a. Brazil
b. South Africa
c. USA
d. China
Answer: a. Brazil
Where will the next G20 be held?
– 2024 : Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
– 2025 : South Africa
– 2026 : USA
– On September 10, 2023, the last day of the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over the chairmanship of the G20 to Brazilian President Lula da Silva.
– Brazil will organize next year’s G20 summit in ‘Rio de Janeiro’.
Brazil
Capital – Brazil
President – Lula da Silva
Currency – Rial
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17. When will the G20 virtual summit be held under the chairmanship of India?
a. October 2023
b. November 2023
c. December 2023
d. None of these
Answer: b. November 2023
– PM Modi handed over the chairmanship of G20 to Brazilian President Lula da Silva, but India will remain the chairman till November 2023.
– In such a situation, the Prime Minister announced a virtual summit in November 2023.
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18. In how many cities were more than 200 meetings of the G20 held under the chairmanship of India?
a. 20
b. 55
c. 60
d. 160
Answer: c. 60
– During the G20 summit, Prime Minister Modi said that it has become the people’s G-20 in India with more than 200 programs in more than 60 cities.
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19. In which city did India organize the first Sherpa meeting after assuming the presidency of G20?
a. Jaipur
b. Udaipur
c. Noida
d. Ajmer
Answer: b. Udaipur
– The first meeting of G20 Sherpa was held in Udaipur from 4 to 7 December 2022.
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20. Which member countries’ heads of state remained absent and sent their representatives in the G20 summit?
a. China, Russia
b. China, Russia and USA
c. China, Russia and France
d. None of these
Answer: a. China, Russia
– Some important heads of state from G20 member countries did not attend this highly significant summit.
– Among the member countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were absent.
– While the guest country, Spain’s President Sánchez, could not attend due to COVID-19.
– China has sent Premier Li Keqiang in place of President Xi Jinping.
– Meanwhile, due to the conflict with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not participate. Instead, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov represented Russia at the G20 summit.
