Europe Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which city hosted the 3rd India-Nordic Summit on 19 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Oslo
The summit was hosted by the Prime Minister of Norway; PIB places PM Modi's margin meetings in Oslo.
Into what kind of partnership did India and the Nordic countries decide to shape their relations at the 3rd India-Nordic Summit?
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Correct answer: D — Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership
PM Modi announced that India–Nordic relations would be shaped into a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership.
Consider the following statements in the context of the 3rd India-Nordic Summit (May 2026): 1. The India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement has been implemented since October 2025. 2. Sweden is a party to the India–EFTA TEPA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: PM Modi named Norway, Iceland and the other EFTA countries as TEPA partners, and Denmark, Finland and Sweden as partners in the India–EU FTA.
Where will the flagship Bharat Innovates 2026 event be held in June 2026 under the India–France Year of Innovation?
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Correct answer: A — Nice
The flagship Bharat Innovates 2026 event is in Nice, France, on 14–16 June 2026.
How many deep-tech start-ups presented at the Bharat Innovates Investor Showcase in Bengaluru on 19 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 24
Twenty-four deep-tech start-ups from the Bharat Innovates cohort presented to 90+ investors.
To what level did India and Norway elevate their relations on 18 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Green Strategic Partnership
PM Modi and PM Støre agreed in Oslo to elevate ties to a Green Strategic Partnership.
By which year did India and Norway aim to double the value of their current bilateral trade, as agreed in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 2030
The leaders underlined the aim of doubling the value of current trade between India and Norway by 2030.
Consider the following statements about the India–Norway talks of 18 May 2026: 1. The investment commitment under the India–EFTA TEPA cited by the leaders is USD 50 billion. 2. The leaders welcomed Norway joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the TEPA investment commitment cited is USD 100 billion, with one million jobs in India. Statement 2 is correct.
With which Norwegian research organisation did CSIR sign a Collaboration Agreement (2026–2029) on circularity and sustainability, under an existing 2014 MoU?
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Correct answer: A — SINTEF
CSIR signed a 2026–2029 Collaboration Agreement with Stiftelsen SINTEF under the framework of their 2014 MoU.
What is the title of the Joint Declaration of Intent signed by CSIR, AcSIR and NTNU in Oslo in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation for the Green Shift
The declaration is titled 'Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation for the Green Shift'.
Which honour did King Harald V of Norway confer on PM Narendra Modi on 18 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
PM Modi received the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit in Oslo.
According to PIB, the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit is Norway's highest honour for:
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Correct answer: B — foreign Heads of Government
PIB states that the award is Norway's highest honour bestowed on foreign Heads of Government.
To what level did India and Sweden elevate their relationship during PM Modi's visit to Sweden in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Strategic Partnership
PM Modi and PM Ulf Kristersson agreed in Gothenburg to elevate India–Sweden ties to the level of Strategic Partnership.
Which document did India and Sweden adopt in May 2026 to operationalise their new partnership?
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Correct answer: C — India-Sweden Joint Action Plan 2026-2030
The two leaders adopted the India-Sweden Joint Action Plan 2026-2030 as the roadmap for the Strategic Partnership.
Consider the following statements about the India–Sweden talks of May 2026: 1. The relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 2. The partnership will be guided by three pillars. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: the ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership (not Comprehensive), and it rests on four pillars.
According to PIB, the Afsluitdijk visited by PM Modi in May 2026 is a dam and causeway of about what length?
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Correct answer: B — 32 km
PIB describes the Afsluitdijk as a 32-kilometre-long dam and causeway.
The Kalpasar project, on which India and the Netherlands agreed technical cooperation in May 2026, aims to create a freshwater reservoir across which water body?
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Correct answer: D — Gulf of Khambhat
The Kalpasar project in Gujarat aims to create a freshwater reservoir across the Gulf of Khambhat.
Who conferred the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross, on PM Narendra Modi on 17 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Crown Princess Victoria
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden conferred the award at a special ceremony in Gothenburg.
Which distinction did PM Modi achieve with the Royal Order of the Polar Star in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — First Asian leader to be conferred the award
PIB states that PM Modi is the first Asian leader to be conferred the award.
According to PIB, in which century was Sweden's Royal Order of the Polar Star instituted?
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Correct answer: B — 18th century
PIB describes it as one of Sweden's oldest honours, instituted in the 18th century.
The original Tagore epigrams whose replicas Sweden gifted to PM Modi in May 2026 were written during Tagore's visits to Sweden in which years?
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Correct answer: A — 1921 and 1926
The originals, recently found in the Swedish National Archives, were created during Tagore's visits to Sweden in 1921 and 1926.
The India–Sweden gift exchange of May 2026 coincided with the centenary of Rabindranath Tagore's:
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Correct answer: C — historic visit to Sweden in 1926
PIB says the exchange coincides with the centenary of Tagore's historic visit to Sweden in 1926.
To what level did India and the Netherlands elevate their relations on 16 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Strategic Partnership
PM Modi and PM Rob Jetten decided in The Hague to elevate India–Netherlands relations to a Strategic Partnership.
At which royal palace did King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima host PM Modi on 16 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Huis ten Bosch, The Hague
The Joint Statement says the King and Queen hosted PM Modi at the Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague.
Consider the following statements about PM Modi's visit to the Netherlands in May 2026: 1. It was PM Modi's first visit to the Netherlands. 2. Under the Strategic Partnership Roadmap, a Foreign Minister-level mechanism will hold annual meetings to review progress. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: it was PM Modi's second visit to the Netherlands. Statement 2 is correct as per the Roadmap.
Which institution restituted the 11th-century Chola Copper Plates to India on 16 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Leiden University Library
Leiden University Library returned the Chola Copper Plates in the presence of PM Modi and PM Rob Jetten.
The Chola Copper Plates returned in May 2026 record the gift of Anaimangalam village to a Buddha vihara located in:
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Correct answer: B — Nagapattinam
The charters formalise the gift of Anaimangalam village to the Chulamanivarma-vihara in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu.
Consider the following statements about the Chola Copper Plates restituted to India in May 2026: 1. The set consists of 21 large plates and 3 small plates. 2. The texts on the plates are written only in Tamil. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the plates contain texts in both Tamil and Sanskrit.
Where will the Indo-Dutch Centre of Excellence for Flowers be established, as per the outcomes of PM Modi's visit to the Netherlands (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — West Tripura
The list of outcomes includes the establishment of an Indo-Dutch Centre of Excellence for Flowers in West Tripura.
The Indo-Dutch Centre of Excellence on Training in Dairy, agreed in May 2026, will be set up at which institution?
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Correct answer: C — Centre of Excellence for Animal Husbandry (CEAH), Bengaluru
The outcomes list the Indo-Dutch CoE on Training in Dairy at the Centre of Excellence for Animal Husbandry (CEAH), Bengaluru.
ASML, which signed an agreement with Tata Electronics in May 2026, is a leading supplier of which equipment for chip-making?
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Correct answer: C — High-precision lithography equipment
PIB describes ASML as a Dutch multinational and one of the leading suppliers of high-precision lithography equipment.
The Tata Electronics–ASML agreement of May 2026 supports India's first front-end semiconductor fab at:
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Correct answer: D — Dholera, Gujarat
The agreement supports the semiconductor fab at Dholera, Gujarat – India's first front-end fab.
When Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on PM Modi in May 2026, he briefed him on progress since which India–Russia Annual Summit held in December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 23rd
Lavrov briefed the PM on progress since the leaders' meeting in December 2025 for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.
Consider the following statements about Sergei Lavrov's call on PM Modi on 14 May 2026: 1. PM Modi reiterated India's stand in favour of dialogue and diplomacy. 2. The talks were limited to bilateral trade and did not cover Ukraine. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The two discussed regional and global issues including Ukraine and West Asia, so statement 2 is wrong.
As per the Commerce Ministry, what was the European Union's rank among markets for Indian seafood exports in 2025-26?
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Correct answer: B — Third
The EU emerged as the third-largest market, with 18.94% of total export value (US$1.593 billion).
Consider the following statements about India's seafood exports to the EU (May 2026): 1. India had been omitted from the EU's Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 on third countries allowed to export from September 2026. 2. EU Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/905 concerns the use of antimicrobials in animals whose products are exported to the EU. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. India's omission was in Regulation (EU) 2024/2598, and Regulation (EU) 2023/905 requires exported animals and products to be free of antimicrobials used for growth promotion or reserved for humans.
India's Pavilion opened in May 2026 at which edition of the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia?
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Correct answer: C — 61st
The Pavilion of India opened at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.
What is the title of the exhibition at the Pavilion of India at the Venice Biennale 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Geographies of Distance: remembering home
The India Pavilion presents 'Geographies of Distance: remembering home', curated by Dr Amin Jaffer; 'In Minor Keys' is the exhibition it responds to.
The India Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale marks India's return to the Biennale Arte after which year?
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Correct answer: A — 2019
The exhibition marks India's return to the Biennale Arte since 2019.
The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), reviewed by the Commerce Secretary in Switzerland in May 2026, is India's trade agreement with which grouping?
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Correct answer: C — European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
TEPA is India's first trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) economies.
Under the India–EFTA TEPA, EFTA has offered improved market access on what share of its tariff lines, and what share of India's exports does this cover?
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Correct answer: A — 92.2% of tariff lines, covering 99.6% of India's exports
EFTA offered improved market access on 92.2% of its tariff lines, covering 99.6% of India's exports.
India's merchandise exports to Switzerland in FY 2025–26 exceeded which figure, as stated during the Commerce Secretary's visit in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — USD 1.2 billion
India's exports to Switzerland exceeded USD 1.2 billion in FY 2025–26; USD 6.884 billion was services exports in 2024.
The year 2026 has been declared as the Indo-French Year of what, as noted during the India–France ministerial meeting of May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Innovation
2026 has been declared the Indo-French Year of Innovation, offering an opportunity to scale up collaboration in emerging areas.
What is the combined funding pool of the India–EU call on EV battery recycling launched in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — €15.2 million (~₹169 crore)
The call has a combined funding pool of €15.2 million (~₹169 crore).
Under which India–EU Trade and Technology Council working group was the EV battery recycling call of May 2026 launched?
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Correct answer: C — Working Group 2 — Green and Clean Energy Technologies
The call was launched under TTC Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies.
Which document was exchanged between India and Italy during the Rajnath Singh–Guido Crosetto meeting on 30 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan 2026–27
A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026–27 was exchanged during the meeting.
The Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), highlighted in India–Italy defence talks in April 2026, is located in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Gurugram
The release refers to the Information Fusion Center–Indian Ocean Region, Gurugram.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Defence Investor Summit on 23 April 2026, the final day of his maiden visit to Germany, in:
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Correct answer: B — Munich
Rajnath Singh addressed Indian and German defence industry leaders at the Defence Investor Summit in Munich.
Consider the following statements about Rajnath Singh's address in Munich (April 2026): 1. Sonobuoys and AI-enabled unmanned aerial systems were among the areas proposed for co-development. 2. Singh referred to the potential under the 'ReArm Europe' initiative. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Singh cited ReArm Europe and Aatmanirbhar Bharat and listed areas including AI-enabled UAS and sonobuoys.
The 13th session of the India–Czech Republic Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation, held in April 2026, was co-chaired from the Indian side by:
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Correct answer: A — Jitin Prasada
MoS for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada co-chaired the 13th JCEC in Prague on 23 April 2026.
The 13th India–Czech Republic JCEC session was held on 23 April 2026 in:
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Correct answer: D — Prague
The session was held in Prague, where its protocol was signed.
Which document on defence industry was signed during Rajnath Singh's talks with Boris Pistorius in Berlin on 22 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap
A Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and an Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Training were signed and exchanged.
Boris Pistorius, who held talks with Rajnath Singh in April 2026, is the Defence Minister of:
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Correct answer: D — Germany
Boris Pistorius is Germany's Federal Minister of Defence; the talks were held in Berlin.
Consider the following statements about the India–Germany defence talks of 22 April 2026: 1. An Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Training was signed. 2. The talks were held in Munich. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The Implementing Arrangement on UN Peacekeeping Training was signed, but the talks were in Berlin. Only statement 1 is correct.
The 17th Session of the India–Austria Joint Economic Commission, reported in April 2026, was held in:
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Correct answer: B — New Delhi
The 17th IAJEC was held in New Delhi.
At the 17th India–Austria Joint Economic Commission, both sides welcomed the conclusion of negotiations for which agreement?
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Correct answer: B — India–EU Free Trade Agreement
Both sides welcomed the conclusion of negotiations for the India–European Union FTA.
According to the Prime Minister, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker's visit to India in April 2026 was the first by an Austrian Chancellor in how many years?
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Correct answer: C — 40 years
The Prime Minister said the Austrian Chancellor's visit to India came after 40 years.
During the Austrian Chancellor's visit in April 2026, FSSAI signed a food safety MoU with which Austrian agency?
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Correct answer: A — AGES
The MoU on food safety was between AGES, Austria and FSSAI, India.
Consider the following statements about the India–Austria outcomes of April 2026: 1. A Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Military Matters builds on the India–EU Defence and Security Partnership signed on 27 January 2026. 2. The two countries signed a Free Trade Agreement during the visit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the list of outcomes contains no bilateral FTA; it includes a Fast Track Mechanism for Indian and Austrian companies.
In their phone call of 16 April 2026, PM Modi and President Macron agreed on the need to restore freedom of navigation in which waterway?
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Correct answer: D — Strait of Hormuz
The leaders agreed on the urgent need to restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Péter Magyar, who won Hungary's parliamentary election on 12 April 2026, leads which party?
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Correct answer: A — Tisza Party
Péter Magyar leads the Tisza Party, which won the election.
How many seats does Hungary's parliament have, as per the reported 2026 election results?
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Correct answer: D — 199
Preliminary results projected 138 of the 199 seats for Tisza.
Consider the following statements about the 2026 Hungarian election: 1. The final count reduced the Tisza Party's tally below the preliminary figure. 2. In his congratulatory message, PM Narendra Modi referred to the India-EU Strategic Partnership. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: Reuters reported that the final count increased Tisza's majority. Statement 2 is correct.
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), reviewed at a meeting on the sidelines of WTO MC14, was signed in:
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Correct answer: C — July 2025
The India-UK CETA was signed in July 2025 by PM Narendra Modi and PM Keir Starmer.
With which country's trade minister did Piyush Goyal discuss expediting 'CEPA' negotiations on the sidelines of WTO MC14 in March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Canada
Goyal's meeting with Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu focused on expediting the recently launched India-Canada CEPA negotiations.
Who is the EU Trade Commissioner whom Piyush Goyal met at WTO MC14 in March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Maroš Šefčovič
Goyal held a bilateral meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič on the sidelines of MC14.
Who was elected Mayor of Paris on 29 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Emmanuel Grégoire
The Paris city council elected Emmanuel Grégoire as mayor with 103 votes on 29 March 2026, succeeding Anne Hidalgo.
Emmanuel Grégoire, elected Mayor of Paris in March 2026, succeeded whom?
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Correct answer: A — Anne Hidalgo
Grégoire succeeded Anne Hidalgo as Mayor of Paris; the city council elected him with 103 votes on 29 March 2026.
On 19 March 2026, PM Modi spoke by phone with leaders of several countries about West Asia. Which of these was NOT among them?
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Correct answer: B — Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia
On 19 March 2026 the PM spoke with the leaders of France, Malaysia, Oman, Jordan and Qatar; Saudi Arabia was not among them.
In his calls of 19 March 2026, with which two leaders did PM Modi explicitly affirm safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz?
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Correct answer: C — Sultan of Oman and Amir of Qatar
The PMO releases on the calls with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman and Amir Sheikh Tamim of Qatar mention safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz; with Jordan the PM backed unhindered transit of goods and energy.