UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies

Question 26: International Relations and Current Affairs

Which one of the following statements is correct?

aKachchativu and Tin Bigha were territories acquired by the Indian Republic from the French

bKachchativu and Tin Bigha are territories handed over to Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi sovereignty respectively by the Government of India

cKachchativu and Tin Bigha are areas that were annexed by the Chinese in the 1962 Sino Indian War

dKachchativu and Tin Bigha are enclaves which were transferred to India by lease arrangements with Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Kachchativu, a small island in the Palk Strait, was ceded to Sri Lanka under the 1974 India-Sri Lanka agreement. Tin Bigha is a corridor on the Indian side of the border that India gave to Bangladesh on a perpetual lease in 1992, so that Bangladesh could link its Dahagram and Angarpota enclaves with the mainland. Neither was acquired from France or China, and neither was leased in by India. Remember: both concern India giving rights to neighbours.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong. Neither was French territory; the French possessions were places like Pondicherry.
(b) Right (closest). Kachchativu went to Sri Lanka and Tin Bigha was given to Bangladesh.
(c) Wrong. China did not annex either in 1962.
(d) Wrong. India did not take these on lease; it gave them away.

Worth knowing: Strictly, Tin Bigha was leased to Bangladesh in perpetuity (1992) rather than transferred in sovereignty, but (b) is still the closest option.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.