South America Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What does the First Additional Protocol to the India–MERCOSUR PTA, signed on 14 September 2026, provide for?
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Correct answer: C — Acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin
The protocol gives electronic Certificates of Origin the same legal validity as paper ones.
Which country held the Pro Tempore Presidency of MERCOSUR when India and MERCOSUR announced talks to expand their PTA in September 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Uruguay
Uruguay's Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin acted in the exercise of MERCOSUR's Pro Tempore Presidency.
The First Additional Protocol to the India–MERCOSUR PTA amends a provision in which part of the agreement?
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Correct answer: B — Annex III — Rules of Origin
It amends Article 16 of Annex III (Rules of Origin).
Consider the following about the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement: 1. It was signed in 2004 and entered into force in 2009. 2. Under it, India gives tariff concessions on more tariff lines than MERCOSUR does. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The PTA was signed on 25 January 2004 and entered into force on 1 June 2009. India offers concessions on 450 tariff lines and MERCOSUR on 452, so MERCOSUR covers slightly more.
Which team won the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Argentina
Argentina beat the Netherlands 3–1 in a shoot-out after a 1–1 draw in the final on 29 August 2026.
Before 2026, in which years had Argentina won the Women's Hockey World Cup?
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Correct answer: A — 2002 and 2010
Argentina's earlier titles came in 2002 and 2010; 2026 is the third.
Consider the following statements about the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026 final: 1. The Netherlands were seeking a fourth successive World Cup title. 2. The 2026 title was Argentina's first Women's World Cup title. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Argentina had already won in 2002 and 2010, so 2026 was its third title.
Who represented India at the India–Chile CEPA meeting in Santiago on 26 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met Chilean Vice-Minister Paula Estévez Weinstein in Santiago.
What does CEPA stand for in the India–Chile trade negotiations?
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Correct answer: D — Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
CEPA stands for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Where was the 4th India–Argentina Joint Trade Committee meeting held on 24 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Buenos Aires
The 4th JTC was held at Palacio San Martín in Buenos Aires.
KABIL's lithium mining activities in Argentina, reviewed at the August 2026 JTC, are located in which province?
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Correct answer: D — Catamarca
KABIL's project in Catamarca is the first lithium mining initiative by an Indian company in Argentina and has completed Phase II drilling; Salta and Jujuy are being explored next.
Consider the following statements about the 4th India–Argentina JTC: 1. India–Argentina trade crossed USD 6.5 billion in 2025. 2. Argentina committed to work towards upgrading India from Annex II to Annex I in its pharmaceutical regulatory framework. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. India is also now Argentina's fifth-largest trading partner.
Which city hosted the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers' Meeting in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Pune
The 12th BRICS Communications Ministers' Meeting was held in Pune, Maharashtra, on 21 August 2026.
What is the theme of the ICT Track under India's BRICS Chairship in 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future
Scindia introduced the ICT Track theme 'Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future', with four pillars.
On the sidelines of the BRICS ICT Track meeting in Pune in August 2026, India signed a telecommunications and ICT MoU with which country?
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Correct answer: B — Brazil
Jyotiraditya Scindia and Brazil's Communications Minister Frederico de Siqueira Filho signed the MoU.
PM Modi congratulated Keiko Fujimori on 4 July 2026 on winning the presidential election of which country?
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Correct answer: A — Peru
The PM congratulated Keiko Fujimori on her victory in the Peruvian presidential election.
Whom did Keiko Fujimori defeat in Peru's presidential runoff held on 7 June 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Roberto Sanchez
Keiko Fujimori won 50.135% of the vote against left-wing congressman Roberto Sanchez's 49.865%.
Consider the following statements about Keiko Fujimori's 2026 election: 1. It was her fourth run for the presidency of Peru. 2. She won the runoff with more than 55% of the vote. 3. She is the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
It was her fourth run and she is Alberto Fujimori's daughter; her winning share was 50.135%, not above 55%.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated whom on 26 June 2026 on victory in the Colombian presidential elections?
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Correct answer: C — Abelardo de la Espriella
PM Modi congratulated Abelardo de la Espriella on his victory in the Colombian presidential elections.
Which country's Foreign Minister, Francisco Pérez Mackenna, visited India in May 2026 for talks on an early conclusion of a CEPA?
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Correct answer: D — Chile
Francisco Pérez Mackenna is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile; the talks focused on the India–Chile CEPA.
India signed an MoU on postal sector cooperation with which country during its President's State Visit in February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Brazil
India and Brazil signed the postal MoU during President Lula da Silva's State Visit to India.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held talks with PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 21 February 2026. Which country is described by India as its largest trading partner in Latin America?
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Correct answer: D — Brazil
PM Modi's press statement on 21 February 2026 said Brazil is India's largest trading partner in Latin America.
During the Modi–Lula talks of 21 February 2026, India and Brazil committed to take bilateral trade beyond what level over the next five years?
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Correct answer: D — $20 billion
PM Modi said both countries are committed to taking bilateral trade beyond twenty billion dollars over the next five years.
Consider the following statements about the India–Brazil talks of 21 February 2026: 1. India is working towards a Centre of Excellence for Digital Public Infrastructure in Brazil. 2. The leaders backed expansion of the India–MERCOSUR trade agreement. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Modi said India is working towards a DPI Centre of Excellence in Brazil and that expansion of the India–MERCOSUR agreement will strengthen economic ties.
President Droupadi Murmu hosted Brazilian President Lula at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 21 February 2026 and congratulated him on Brazil hosting which two summits in 2025?
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Correct answer: B — BRICS and COP-30
The President congratulated Lula on the successful hosting of the BRICS Summit and the COP-30 Summit in Brazil in 2025.
India's CDSCO exchanged an MoU on pharmaceutical and medical product regulation with which Brazilian agency on 21 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ANVISA
The MoU was exchanged between India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA).
Consider the following statements about the India–Brazil steel-sector MoU of 21 February 2026: 1. It was signed by India's Ministry of Steel with Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy. 2. PIB put India's current steelmaking capacity at 300 million tonnes. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB put India's current steelmaking capacity at 218 million tonnes, not 300.
India and Brazil exchanged an access agreement for India's Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) on 21 February 2026. Which Indian body signed it?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR
The agreement was between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India and the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), Brazil.
With Brazil's INPI joining in February 2026, how many patent offices worldwide have access to India's TKDL database?
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Correct answer: B — Eighteen
PIB said that with the inclusion of INPI, Brazil, the number of patent offices worldwide with access to the TKDL rises to eighteen.
Consider the following statements about the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL): 1. It was established in 2001 through a collaboration between CSIR and the Ministry of AYUSH. 2. It is available in five international languages, and patent offices get access through non-disclosure agreements. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. TKDL was set up in 2001 by CSIR and the Ministry of AYUSH; it is available in English, German, French, Japanese and Spanish, with access under non-disclosure agreements.
On 30 January 2026, PM Narendra Modi received a phone call from Delcy Rodríguez, Acting President of which country?
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Correct answer: B — Venezuela
PIB: Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez is the Acting President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
On 22 January 2026, PM Modi received a telephone call from the President of which country, with both reaffirming their Strategic Partnership?
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Correct answer: B — Brazil
PIB (PMO): PM Modi received a call from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; both reaffirmed the India–Brazil Strategic Partnership.
INTA, with which ICAR signed a Work Plan 2025–27 on 17 December 2025, is the National Institute of Agricultural Technology of which country?
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Correct answer: D — Argentina
PIB 2205117: ICAR and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina, signed the Work Plan 2025–2027.
Who exchanged the ICAR–INTA Work Plan on behalf of India on 17 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Dr M.L. Jat
PIB 2205117: Dr M.L. Jat, Secretary DARE and Director General ICAR, exchanged the Work Plan with Argentina's Ambassador Mariano Agustin Caucino.
Who hosted the IBSA Leaders' Meeting held in Johannesburg on 23 November 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Cyril Ramaphosa
The meeting was hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and attended by Brazilian President Lula and PM Modi.
At the IBSA Leaders' Meeting (November 2025), PM Modi proposed which platform for sharing Digital Public Infrastructure like UPI and CoWIN?
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Correct answer: A — IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance
The PM proposed an 'IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance' to share DPI such as UPI, health platforms like CoWIN, cybersecurity frameworks and women-led tech initiatives.
Consider the following statements about the IBSA Leaders' Meeting of November 2025: 1. PM Modi noted that the IBSA Fund has supported projects across forty countries. 2. PM Modi proposed an IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient Agriculture. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the PMO release.
PM Modi invited IBSA leaders to which event to be hosted by India?
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Correct answer: D — AI Impact Summit
The PM invited IBSA leaders to the AI Impact Summit to be held in India next year.
The UNFCCC COP30, which concluded in November 2025, was held in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Belém
India delivered its closing statement at the COP30 Closing Plenary in Belém, Brazil, on 22 November 2025.
In its COP30 closing statement, India described the establishment of which mechanism as a 'significant milestone'?
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Correct answer: D — Just Transition Mechanism
India expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the Just Transition Mechanism, calling it a significant milestone.
At COP30, India thanked the Presidency for beginning a long-overdue focus on which Article, linked to developed countries' climate finance obligations?
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Correct answer: C — Article 9.1
India's statement appreciated the Presidency's efforts in beginning the journey towards a long-overdue focus on Article 9.1, in the context of climate finance from developed countries.
In India's National Statement at COP30, Bhupender Yadav called for COP30 to be remembered as a:
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Correct answer: D — COP of Implementation
India called for COP30 to be a 'COP of Implementation' and a 'COP of Delivery on Promises'.
According to India's COP30 National Statement, by how much has India's emission intensity declined since 2005?
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Correct answer: B — Over 36%
India's emission intensity has declined by over 36% since 2005.
Consider the following statements made in India's National Statement at COP30: 1. Non-fossil sources account for more than half of India's installed power capacity, a target achieved five years ahead of 2030. 2. India will declare its revised NDCs up to 2035 and its first Biennial Transparency Report on time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per India's National Statement delivered on 17 November 2025.
The 3rd International Ayurveda Conference in São Paulo in November 2025 commemorated how many years of Ayurveda in Brazil?
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Correct answer: C — 40
The conference commemorated 40 years of Ayurveda in Brazil.
Where and when is the WHO–Ministry of Ayush Global Summit on Traditional Medicine to be held, as mentioned at the São Paulo Ayurveda conference?
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Correct answer: A — New Delhi, 17–19 December 2025
Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia said the summit will be held in New Delhi from 17 to 19 December 2025.
On behalf of which groups did India deliver statements at the opening plenary of COP30 in Belém in November 2025?
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Correct answer: B — BASIC and LMDC
India spoke on behalf of the BASIC group (Brazil, South Africa, India, China) and the Like-Minded Developing Countries.
At COP30, India called for implementation of which Article of the Paris Agreement, reaffirming developed countries' legal obligation to provide finance to developing countries?
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Correct answer: C — Article 9.1
India called for implementation of Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement on developed countries' obligation to provide finance.
According to India's statement at COP30, adaptation financing needs to exceed current flows by roughly how many times?
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Correct answer: D — Fifteen times
India noted that adaptation financing needs to exceed nearly fifteen times current flows.
Who delivered India's National Statement at the Leaders' Summit of COP30 in Belém on 7 November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Dinesh Bhatia, Ambassador of India to Brazil
India's Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, delivered the National Statement at the Leaders' Summit on 7 November 2025.
In what capacity did India join Brazil's Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) at COP30?
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Correct answer: C — Observer
India welcomed Brazil's initiative to set up the TFFF and joined the Facility as an Observer.
According to India's National Statement at COP30, by how much did India reduce the emission intensity of its GDP between 2005 and 2020?
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Correct answer: B — 36%
The statement said India reduced the emission intensity of GDP by 36% between 2005 and 2020. 50% refers to the non-fossil share of installed power capacity.
Where was the 9th round of India–Peru Trade Agreement negotiations held from 3 to 5 November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Lima
The 9th round was held in Lima, Peru, from 3 to 5 November 2025.
Who led the Indian delegation as Chief Negotiator at the 9th round of India–Peru trade talks in November 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Vimal Anand
The Indian delegation was led by Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary and Chief Negotiator; Vishvas Vidu Sapkal is India's Ambassador to Peru.
The 3rd round of India–Chile CEPA negotiations, mentioned alongside the 9th India–Peru round, was held in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Santiago
The 3rd round of India–Chile CEPA negotiations was held in Santiago, Chile, from 27 to 30 October 2025.
Where was the third round of India-Chile CEPA negotiations held from 27 to 30 October 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Santiago
The third round of India-Chile CEPA negotiations was held in Santiago, Chile.
Which round of India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations took place in October 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Third
PIB reported that the 3rd round of India-Chile CEPA negotiations was held in Santiago from 27 to 30 October 2025.
Consider the following statements about the third round of India-Chile CEPA talks: 1. It was held from 27 to 30 October 2025. 2. Critical minerals were among the chapters discussed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The round ran from 27 to 30 October 2025 and covered chapters including critical minerals.
According to Chile's SUBREI, the India-Chile Partial Scope Agreement, which entered into force in 2007, was expanded in which year?
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Correct answer: B — 2017
SUBREI notes that the Partial Scope Agreement entered into force in 2007 and was later expanded in 2017.
When was the Framework Agreement between India and MERCOSUR, recalled in the India–Brazil Joint Declaration of October 2025, signed?
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Correct answer: B — 17 June 2003
PIB: the Joint Declaration recalled the Framework Agreement signed between India and MERCOSUR on 17 June 2003.
Who signed the Joint Declaration on deepening the MERCOSUR–India trade agreement with Piyush Goyal on 16 October 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Geraldo Alckmin, Vice President of Brazil
PIB: the Vice President of Brazil and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, Geraldo Alckmin, and Piyush Goyal issued the Joint Declaration.
Consider the following statements about the India–Brazil Joint Declaration on the MERCOSUR–India PTA (October 2025): 1. The parties should endeavour to conclude negotiations within one year from their launch. 2. A meeting of the Joint Administration Committee created under Article 23 of the PTA is to help define the scope of the expansion. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: the parties should endeavour to conclude negotiations within one year; the next step includes a meeting of the Joint Administration Committee under Article 23 of the PTA to define the scope.
Where was COP30 to the UNFCCC scheduled to be held from 10 to 21 November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Belém, Brazil
PIB: the 30th Conference of Parties (CoP30) to the UNFCCC would be held in Belém from November 10–21, 2025; the Pre-COP was in Brasilia.
At the Pre-COP30 Ministerial Roundtable in October 2025, India said COP30 should be the 'COP of':
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Correct answer: D — Adaptation
PIB: 'COP30 should be the COP of Adaptation', the Minister emphasized, urging a minimum package of indicators from the UAE–Belém Work Programme.
During PM Modi's July 2025 State visit to Brazil, India and Brazil set a target of raising bilateral trade within five years to:
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Correct answer: B — USD 20 billion
PIB: the leaders set a target to increase bilateral trade to USD 20 billion over the next five years.
Consider the following statements: 1. Brazil is India's largest trading partner in the Latin American and Caribbean region. 2. India–Brazil bilateral merchandise trade in FY 2024-25 was about USD 20 billion. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: Brazil is the largest trading partner of India in the LAC region; bilateral merchandise trade in FY 2024-25 stood at USD 12.19 billion (USD 20 billion is the five-year target).