Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : List I List II (Project Supported by India) (Country) A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project 1. Maldives B. Restoration of Stor Palace 2. Afghanistan C. District Hospital at Dickoya 3. Bhutan D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies 4. Sri Lanka Code : A B C D
Contents17
- Aa-1, b-4, c-2, d-3
- Ba-3, b-2, c-4, d-1
- Ca-3, b-4, c-2, d-1
- Da-1, b-2, c-4, d-3
Show answer
Answer: (B) a-3, b-2, c-4, d-1
The correct answer is a-3, b-2, c-4, d-1.
Key Points
- A – Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project → 3. Bhutan. It is a 720 MW run-of-river plant on the Mangdechhu River in the Trongsa Dzongkhag district of central Bhutan. India funded it with 70 percent loan and 30 percent grant. It was inaugurated in 2019 to boost energy cooperation between the two countries.
- B – Restoration of Stor Palace → 2. Afghanistan. Also called the Darul Aman or Star Palace, this heritage restoration work was done in Kabul. India gave the money, and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture gave technical support. Leaders of both countries inaugurated the restored palace by video link in August 2016.
- C – District Hospital at Dickoya → 4. Sri Lanka. This is a 150-bed hospital built with grant assistance from the Government of India in Sri Lanka's Central Province. It serves the Indian-origin Tamil community and local people working in tea plantations. It was inaugurated in 2017.
- D – Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies (ISLES) → 1. Maldives. It is the top training institute for the Maldives Police Service, set up with Indian help in Addu City. It is central to India's aim of strengthening maritime security and law enforcement in the island nation.
Additional Information
- India's Neighbourhood First Policy:
- Gives development aid through Lines of Credit (LoC) and grants to neighbours such as Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives.
- In Afghanistan, it includes the Afghan-India Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) and the New Parliament Building in Kabul.
- In Sri Lanka, India has supported the 1990 Emergency Ambulance Service and several High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP).
- In Bhutan, hydroelectric power is the core of economic ties. Other projects include Kholongchhu and Punatsangchhu, at different stages of development.
India provides development assistance worth billions of dollars to South Asian neighbors through grants and loans under its Neighbourhood First Policy.
These specific projects represent India's strategic partnerships across different sectors - energy security with Bhutan, cultural diplomacy in Afghanistan, healthcare for Tamil diaspora in Sri Lanka, and maritime security cooperation with Maldives.
UPSC tests whether students can connect India's foreign policy instruments to specific bilateral relationships and regional priorities.
Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project
World Affairs (International Relations) Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project Bhutan
Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project: India-Bhutan Energy Partnership
720 MW run-of-river hydroelectric plant in Bhutan's Trongsa Dzongkhag district
Funded by India with 70% loan and 30% grant, inaugurated in 2019
Built on Mangdechhu River in central Bhutan
Project Overview
The Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project represents a cornerstone of India-Bhutan energy cooperation, demonstrating India's Neighbourhood First Policy through infrastructure development.
Project Specifications
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Capacity | 720 MW |
Type | Run-of-river plant |
Location | Trongsa Dzongkhag district, Central Bhutan |
River | Mangdechhu River |
Funding | India: 70% loan, 30% grant |
Inauguration | 2019 |
Geographic Location
Map showing Trongsa Dzongkhag district in central Bhutan with Mangdechhu River and hydroelectric project location marked
Mangdechhu project in central Bhutan strengthens India's energy partnership in the region
Trap: Confusing Mangdechhu with other India-Bhutan hydro projects like Kholongchhu or Punatsangchhu
Trap: Mixing up the 70% loan, 30% grant funding structure with other bilateral projects
Stor Palace Restoration
World Affairs (International Relations) Restoration of Stor Palace Afghanistan
Stor Palace Restoration: India-Afghanistan Cultural Cooperation
Also called Darul Aman or Star Palace, located in Kabul
Heritage restoration funded by India with Aga Khan Trust for Culture technical support
Inaugurated by video link in August 2016 by leaders of both countries
Historical Significance
The Stor Palace (also known as Darul Aman Palace or Star Palace) is a historic palace in Kabul that symbolizes Afghanistan's architectural heritage and India's commitment to cultural preservation in the region.
Project Details
Financial support provided by the Government of India for complete restoration
Technical expertise delivered through the Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Restoration completed and inaugurated via video conference in August 2016
Represents India's soft power diplomacy through heritage conservation
Trap: Confusing Stor Palace with other Indian projects in Afghanistan like Salma Dam or Parliament Building
Trap: Missing the Aga Khan Trust partnership - it's not just Indian funding but joint technical cooperation
District Hospital at Dickoya
World Affairs (International Relations) District Hospital at Dickoya Sri Lanka
District Hospital at Dickoya: India-Sri Lanka Healthcare Partnership
150-bed hospital in Sri Lanka's Central Province built with Indian grant
Serves Indian-origin Tamil community and tea plantation workers
Inaugurated in 2017 as part of India's healthcare diplomacy
Strategic Importance
The District Hospital at Dickoya demonstrates India's targeted healthcare assistance to Sri Lanka, specifically serving the Indian-origin Tamil community and workers in the tea plantation sector.
Hospital Specifications
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Capacity | 150 beds |
Location | Dickoya, Central Province, Sri Lanka |
Funding | Grant assistance from Government of India |
Target Population | Indian-origin Tamils and tea plantation workers |
Inauguration | 2017 |
Significance | Strengthens India-Sri Lanka people-to-people ties |
Trap: Confusing Dickoya hospital with India's 1990 Emergency Ambulance Service in Sri Lanka
Trap: Missing the specific focus on tea plantation workers - it's not just general healthcare aid
Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies
World Affairs (International Relations) Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies Maldives
ISLES: India-Maldives Security Cooperation
ISLES is the premier training institute for Maldives Police Service
Located in Addu City with Indian assistance and expertise
Focuses on maritime security and law enforcement capacity building
Strategic Context
The Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies (ISLES) represents India's commitment to strengthening maritime security in the Indian Ocean region through capacity building in the Maldives.
Key Features
Premier training facility for Maldives Police Service personnel
Established in Addu City with comprehensive Indian support
Enhances maritime security capabilities in the Indian Ocean
Strengthens law enforcement cooperation between India and Maldives
Part of India's broader security partnership with island nations
Trap: Confusing ISLES with other Indian projects in Maldives or mixing up the location with other cities
Trap: Missing the maritime security focus - it's not just general police training but ocean-specific capabilities
India's Neighbourhood First Policy
World Affairs (International Relations)
Neighbourhood First Policy: India's Regional Development Strategy
Prioritizes immediate neighbours through Lines of Credit (LoC) and grants
Focuses on connectivity, infrastructure, and capacity building projects
Strengthens economic ties and security cooperation in South Asia
Policy Framework
India's Neighbourhood First Policy emphasizes deeper engagement with immediate neighbors through development assistance, connectivity projects, and capacity building initiatives across sectors like energy, healthcare, education, and security.
Major Projects by Country
Country | Key Projects | Sector Focus |
|---|---|---|
Bhutan | Mangdechhu, Kholongchhu, Punatsangchhu | Hydroelectric Power |
Afghanistan | Salma Dam, Parliament Building, Stor Palace | Infrastructure & Heritage |
Sri Lanka | Emergency Ambulance Service, HICDP, Dickoya Hospital | Healthcare & Development |
Maldives | ISLES, Various infrastructure projects | Security & Connectivity |
Nepal | Post-earthquake reconstruction, Connectivity projects | Infrastructure |
Bangladesh | Connectivity corridors, Power cooperation | Trade & Energy |
Implementation Tools
Lines of Credit (LoC) for large infrastructure and development projects
Grant assistance for smaller community-focused initiatives
Technical expertise sharing through Indian institutions and experts
Capacity building programs in security, governance, and technical skills
Trap: Mixing up LoC vs grants - LoC are loans, grants are free assistance
Trap: Confusing projects between countries - each neighbor has sector-specific focus areas