This is the current affairs of 7 July 2023. Here are 10 questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Who among the following became the ninth permanent member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)?
a. Iran
b. Iraq
c. Afghanistan
d. Nepal
Answer: a. Iran
– On July 4, 2023, Iran became the 9th full member of the SCO during the virtual summit of the organization.
– While presiding over the conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India congratulated President Ibrahim Raisi of Iran on joining the organization.
Iran
Capital – Tehran
President – Ibrahim Raisi
Currency – Iranian Rial
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
– Established on June 15, 2001
– Headquarters – Beijing, China
Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
– China
– Russia
– Kazakhstan
– Kyrgyzstan
– Tajikistan
– Uzbekistan
– India
– Pakistan
– Iran (Joined in 2022 and became a full member in 2023)
Belarus also wants to join.
– Belarus has signed the Memorandum of Obligations for SCO membership. It can become the 10th member in the year 2024.
Significance of Iran’s inclusion:
– In 2016, Iran proposed to join the SCO.
– China has exerted strong influence over Pakistan, pulling it into its strategic orbit and becoming more assertive on the global stage.
– Iran’s inclusion in this group will strengthen the SCO’s influence and presence in the Central Asian region.
– In March 2023, Iran reestablished diplomatic relations with its old regional rival, Saudi Arabia, indicating its desire to improve relations with neighboring countries and mend strained relationships with Western nations.
Impact for India:
– Russia wants to establish a common currency among SCO countries for trade purposes. This would enable trade between SCO countries using the same currency.
– Iran also shares the same desire because both countries face restrictions on using the US dollar.
– China’s currency, the yuan, holds significant weight as a potential common currency.
– Russia has exerted pressure on India in June and July to make payments for oil in yuan, which has also been required of Indian companies.
– India has had a dominant role in commercial relations with Iran, particularly in the import of Iranian crude oil.
– Until May 2019, Iran was one of India’s top energy suppliers.
– After the expiration of US sanctions waivers on May 2, 2019, India suspended the import of crude oil from Iran.
– In such circumstances, India will have to maintain a balance within the SCO.
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2. What is the theme of the SCO summit to be held in July 2023 under the chairmanship of India?
a. Protected SCO
b. Secure SCO
c. Organization SCO
d. Organized SCO
Answer: b. Secure SCO
– India hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in the year 2023.
– The theme for the 2023 Summit was “SECURE SCO.”
Meaning of SECURE:
S – Security for Citizens
E – Economic Development
C – Connectivity in the Region
U – Unity
R – Respect of Sovereignty and Integrity
E – Environment Protection
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3. Which city was declared as the SCO Cultural and Tourism Capital for the year 2023-24 during the SCO Summit chaired by India?
a. Tehran (Iran)
b. Almaty (Kazakhstan)
c. Shanghai (China)
d. Karachi (Pakistan)
Answer: b. Almaty (Kazakhstan)
– The city of Almaty in Kazakhstan has been declared as the SCO Cultural and Tourism Capital for the year 2023-24.
Note: The first SCO Cultural and Tourism Capital was declared as Varanasi (a city in India). Varanasi received this designation for the year 2022-23.
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4. In the virtual SCO summit organized under the chairmanship of India, ‘New Delhi Declaration’ was made, tell its main fact?
a. Cooperation in countering radicalization leading to separatism, extremism, terrorism
b. Digital Transformation
c. Democracy in Afghanistan
d. both a and B
Answer: d. Both a and b (cooperation in countering separatism, extremism, radicalization leading to terrorism and digital transformation)
India surrounded Pakistan on terrorism.
– Referring to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Some countries use cross-border terrorism as a tool of their policies and provide shelter to terrorists. SCO should not hesitate to criticize such countries.”
What PM Modi said about China:
– In the virtual summit, India also pushed back against China regarding “connectivity” and respect for the sovereignty of other countries.
– Essentially, apart from India and Russia, all existing SCO member countries are part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which India objects to because a significant portion of its project runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “Strong connectivity is crucial for the progress of any region. Better connectivity not only boosts trade but also enhances mutual trust. However, in these efforts, it is essential to uphold the fundamental principles of the SCO Charter, particularly respecting the sovereignty, integrity, and regional primacy of nations.”
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5. Who has been appointed as the President of Basketball Federation of India (BFI)?
a. Kulwinder Singh Gill
b. Govindraj
c. Adhav Arjun
d. Dhruv Sushil Barman
Answer: c. Adhav Arjun
– Adhav Arjun was elected as the President of the Tamil Nadu Basketball Association in the elections held on July 5, 2023.
– Former player Kulvinder Singh Gill was elected as the Secretary General of the Madhya Pradesh Basketball Association.
Establishment of the Basketball Federation of India – 1950.
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6. Which country has secured the top rank in the Global Peace Index?
a. Iceland
b. Finland
c. Denmark
d. Sweden
Answer: a. Iceland
– Since 2008, Iceland has become the most peaceful country in the world.
Top 5 countries:
1. Iceland
2. Denmark
3. Ireland
4. New Zealand
5. Austria
– Out of the top 10 most peaceful countries in the world, seven are located in Europe.
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7. What is the rank of India in the Global Peace Index?
a. 129
b. 128
c. 127
d. 126
Answer: d. 126
– This report has been released by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).
– It includes 163 countries, with India ranked 126th.
– The Global Peace Index measures the level of peace in a country, taking into account factors such as the presence of violence or the fear of violence.
Rankings of neighboring countries:
– Bhutan: 17
– Maldives: 23
– Nepal: 79
– China: 80
– Bangladesh: 88
– Sri Lanka: 107
– Myanmar: 139
– Pakistan: 149
– Pakistan and Myanmar are two countries that rank behind India, at 146th and 139th positions, respectively.
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8. Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal retired from international cricket, he used to play for which country?
a. Afghanistan
b. Bangladesh
c. Sri Lanka
d. India
Answer: b. Bangladesh
– (Former) Captain Tamim Iqbal of Bangladesh announced his retirement in a press conference held on July 6, 2023.
– Under Tamim’s captaincy, Bangladesh played their first match of a three-match One-Day series against Afghanistan on July 5, 2023.
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9. When is Global Forgiveness Day celebrated?
a. 5 July
b. 6 July
c. 7 July
d. 8 July
Answer: c. 7 July
– Global Forgiveness Day gives people a chance to heal their relationships.
– Forgiveness is essential, especially for our mental health and peace.
