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• Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Soviet Russia and the Premier of Soviet Russia in 1985.
• His period saw the end of the Cold War.
• He introduced important reforms in Soviet Russia through his policies known as ‘Perestroika’ (Restructuring) and Glasnost (Openness).
• During his time the economy had grown weaker.
• Gorbachev tried to normalize it by restructuring the political and economic systems of Soviet Russia.
• He attempted to democratize the political system by way of open elections and to end the authoritarian rule of the communist party.
• He decentralized the economic machinery of the state.
• Authors, journalists, and intellectuals were given more freedom of expression.
• However, Gorbachev could not stop the integration of his own country.
• Soviet Russia disintegrated during his period.

Correct option: (a) ANZUS Treaty

• To oppose American policies and to strengthen communist nations, Soviet Russia brought together seven communist countries in eastern and central Europe known as ‘Eastern Bloc’ and signed a treaty commonly known as Warsaw Pact.
• Along with Soviet Russia, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania signed this treaty.
• Albania withdrew from it in 1968.

• The tussle between the Capitalist nations and Communist nations for power and ideological influence which began after the second world war is referred to as the ‘Cold War.
• During the world war, Russia gained prominence in Eastern Europe while America, France, and England gained prominence in Western Europe.
• The Eastern European nations under the influence of Soviet Russia adopted Communist ideology.
• The Western European nations under the influence of America adopted a Capitalist ideology and democratic system.
• This situation caused the emergence of the ‘Cold War’ between Soviet Russia and America.

The meaning of ‘Openness’ in Russian means Glasnost.

Perestroika means Restructuring.

Venue of the conference held in 1978 to resolve the strife between Israel and Arabs Camp David.

The wall was built by Soviet Russia in 1961 Berlin Wall.

• Criteria for Non-Alignment (Adopted at Belgrade, 1961)'
• The country should have adopted an independent policy based on the coexistence of states with different political and social systems.
• Support national independence movements.
• It should not be a member of a multilateral alliance concluded in the context of the Cold War.
• It should not be a member of a bilateral military alliance or a regional defense pact in the context of great power conflicts.
• It should not concede military bases to foreign powers in the context of great power rivalry.

Capital of Germany Berlin.

The ‘Southeast Asia Collective Defence Treaty is also known as Manila Pact.

The Germans called the ‘Berlin 'Wall of Shame'

• After the Second World War, India decided not to join either Russia or America. India adopted the policy of development by its own efforts and shape its own strategies leading towards peace. This policy is known as the ‘NAM-Non Alignment Policy’.
• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Sukarno (Indonesia), Nkrumah (Ghana), Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt), and Marshal Tito (Yugoslavia) were the architects of the concept ‘NAM’.
• The nations, which adopt an independent foreign policy based on the concept of peaceful co-existence, support other nations in their independence struggle, and do not involve themselves in the military agreements or bilateral treaties with the superpowers is known as ‘Non Aligned Nations’.
• Non-Alignment is a concept concerned more with progress and peace than war and poverty, so it is positive.

• CENTO stands for Central Treaty Organisation.
• CENTO earlier known as the ‘Baghdad Pact’ or Middle East Treaty Organisation (METO) is a treaty among four nations namely, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, and England.
• This treaty was signed on 24th February 1955. Iraq joined later.
• America started providing the member nations of CENTO economic and military aid.
• America feared that if Soviet Russia attacked any of the member nations, then all member nations should fight it collectively.
• But in reality, none of the member nations had the military capacity to fight.
• Except for the United Kingdom, the rest of the three were in need of military and technological aid but America was too involved to pay attention to their need.
• Hence, the other members of CENTO were not satisfied. They wanted to withdraw from the treaty and act independently.
• Iran and Pakistan withdrew from the treaty and hence CENTO became nonoperational.

• SAARC has achieved success in some fields for e.g. a centre for the dissemination of agro-related information was started in Bangladesh and it has also been used as a platform for research related to seeds, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
• A SAARC center for meteorological research was established in Dhaka.
• In Kathmandu, an orthopedic center was established.
• Efforts are being made to promote tourism in SAARC countries.
• SAARC is also working to eliminate poverty in South Asia with the help of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP).
• An inter-Governmental group was established to formulate an agreement (SAFTA- South Asia Free Trade Area) for promoting free trade and economic cooperation among SAARC nations.
• The SAARC Documentation Centre was established in Delhi for the dissemination of information.
• SAARC Human Resources Development Centre was established in Islamabad (Pakistan).
• Agreements were signed to counter the smuggling of narcotic drugs. Committees were appointed for development in the fields of postal services and transportation.

Correct option: (a) Marshall

• India is acknowledged as a great democracy in the world.
• After independence, India adopted the policy of active non-alignment in international politics.
• India would always strive to establish global peace.
• India would not tolerate foreign intervention in her internal matters. India shall respect the regional unity and sovereignty of other countries.
• India emphasizes the principle of ‘live and let live’ supported by peaceful coexistence.
• For e.g. in the post-independence period in 1949, a conference was held in Delhi in which support was declared to the issue of Indonesia’s independence. It was demanded that the Dutch should leave Indonesia before 1950 and grant its independence.
• The position India took in the case of Africa, is also very important. India took a strong initiative in demanding independence of African countries especially the protectorates of European nations.
• India insisted that the foreign rulers (colonialist European countries) should leave the colonies.
• India cared about Africa because of its long-standing relations with African countries.
• Mahatma Gandhi showed Africa the path to satyagraha for independence.
• Thus, India had been at the forefront of the struggle against colonialism.

• Definition: The tussle between Capitalist nations and Communist nations for power and ideological influence, which began after the Second World War is referred to as the ‘Cold War.
• Walter Lippmann, an American political columnist was the first to use the term ‘Cold War’.
• Cold War’ is characterized by the following factors
• No Direct War.
• The intense race for armament.
• Aggressive Political Policies.
• Mutual lack of Faith among Nations.
• Political and Economic Pressurisation.
• Ideological Conflict.
• The aftermath of the Second World War created conditions leading to the Cold War.
• England and France lost their primary positions in world politics.
• During the world war, Russia gained prominence in Eastern Europe while America, England, and France gained prominence in Western Europe.
• The Eastern European nations under the influence of Soviet Russia adopted communist ideology while the Western European nations under the influence of America adopted capitalist ideology and democratic system. This situation caused the emergence of the ‘Cold War.

Correct option: (d) Iron Curtain

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

NAM was established in 1961 in Belgrade, SR Serbia, Yugoslavia through an initiative of the Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an organization of Redeveloping nations that are not formally aligned, with any major power flex. 

Here is the list of NAM summits:

10^th NAM Summit: 1-6 September 1992 – Jakarta, Indonesia.

11^th NAM Summit: 18-20 October 1995 – Cartagena, Colombia.

12^th NAM Summit: 2-3 September 1998, Durban, South Africa.

13^th NAM Summit: 20-25 Feb 2003, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

14^th NAM Summit: 15-16 September 2006, Havana, Cuba.

15^th NAM Summit: 11-16 July 2009, Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt.

16^th NAM Summit: 26-31 August 2012, Tehran, Iran.

17^th NAM Summit: 13-18 September 2016, Porlamar, Venezuela.

Correct option: (a) Thailand

Correct option: (c) Perestroika

The idea of Commonwealth games was introduced by Reverend Astley Cooper.

On 30th June 1977, this organisation ceased to exist SEATO.

SAARC also known as The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is the regional intergovernmental organisation in South Asia. 

Total 8 countries are members of SAARC.

1. Nepal 

2. Bhutan 

3. India 

4. the Maldives 

5. Sri Lanka 

6. Pakistan 

7. Bangladesh 

8. Afghanistan.

The First Summit: was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 7-8 December 1985, signed the SAARC charter on 8 December 1985 thereby establishing the regional association and study groups on the problems of terrorism, drug trafficking, etc.

Second Summit India: Date – 17-18 November 1986 in Bangalore. Appointment of Ambassador Abdul Ahsan of Bangladesh as the first Secretary-General of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation.

3rd Summit: 2-4 November 1987 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

4^th Summit: 29-31 December 1988 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

5^th Summit: 21-23 November 1990 in Male, Maldives.

6^th Summit: 21 December 1991 in Colombo, Sri Lanka

8^th Summit: 2-4 May 1995, New Delhi, India

9^th Summit: 12-14 May 1997, Male, Maldives.

10^th Summit: 29-31 July 1998, Colombo, Sri Lanka

11^th Summit: 4-6 January 2002, Kathmandu, Nepal.

12^th Summit: 4-6 January 2004, Islamabad, Pakistan.

13^th Summit: 12-13 November 2005, Dhaka, Bangladesh

14^th Summit: 3-4 April 2007, New Delhi, India

15^th Summit: 1-3 August 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

16^th Summit: 28-29 April 2010, Thimphu, Bhutan

17^th Summit: 10-11 November 2011, Addu City, Maldives.

18^th Summit: 26-27 November 2014, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Correct option: (b) Harare

The United Nations was established after World War II with the aim of preventing any war in the future and establishing peace in the world. UN is the largest and most powerful intergovernmental organisation in the world. It was established on 24th October 1945. Currently, 193 countries in the world are members of the UN. The headquarter of the UN is located in New York, USA. Since its establishment UN has been working for maintaining world peace and avoiding conflict among nations, it also works for remoting sustainable development, protection and preservation of the environment, and protecting human rights.

The important agencies of the UN are as follows:

(i) International Labour Organisation (ILO): Established in – 1919 to improve the conditions and living standards of workers. Headquarters – Geneva.

(ii) International Monetary Fund (IMF): Established in – 1945 to promote international monetary cooperation.

(iii) Food and Agricultural Organisation: Established in – 1945

(iv) United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Established in – 1945.

(v) World Health Organisation: Established in – 1948

(vi) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): Established in – 1957

(vii) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Established in – 1965

(viii) World Trade Organisation (WTO): Established in – 1995

(ix) UN Women: Established in – 2010

(x) United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC): Established in – 1997

(xi) United Nation Environmental Programme (UNEP): Established in – 1972

(xii) International Development Association (IDA): Established in – 1960

(xiii) United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF): Established in – 1946

(xiv) International Telecommunication Union (ITU): Established in – 1865

(c) political, economic, and military concerns

(b) capitalist ideology and democratic system