Q.1 Which of the following best defines diplomacy?
The art of war
The conduct of negotiations between states
The enforcement of domestic law
The use of economic sanctions only
Explanation - Diplomacy refers to managing international relations primarily through negotiation rather than force.
Correct answer is: The conduct of negotiations between states
Q.2 Which treaty is often considered the foundation of the modern diplomatic system?
Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Tordesillas
Treaty of Westphalia
Treaty of Paris
Explanation - The 1648 Treaty of Westphalia established the principles of state sovereignty and modern diplomacy.
Correct answer is: Treaty of Westphalia
Q.3 What is 'track two diplomacy'?
Official negotiations by diplomats
Military talks
Unofficial dialogue by non-state actors
Secret intelligence missions
Explanation - Track two diplomacy involves academics, NGOs, or private citizens engaging in dialogue to resolve conflicts informally.
Correct answer is: Unofficial dialogue by non-state actors
Q.4 Which organization provides diplomatic immunity to its staff?
NATO
UN
IMF
World Bank
Explanation - UN staff and diplomats accredited under the UN enjoy diplomatic immunity under international law.
Correct answer is: UN
Q.5 What does 'statecraft' primarily refer to?
The crafting of state constitutions
The skill of governing and conducting foreign policy
The economic system of a state
The military power of a state
Explanation - Statecraft is the art of managing state affairs, especially in foreign relations and diplomacy.
Correct answer is: The skill of governing and conducting foreign policy
Q.6 Who is traditionally regarded as the father of modern diplomatic practice?
Niccolò Machiavelli
Otto von Bismarck
Cardinal Richelieu
Hugo Grotius
Explanation - Cardinal Richelieu in 17th-century France established resident ambassadors and centralized diplomacy.
Correct answer is: Cardinal Richelieu
Q.7 Which term describes the privilege of diplomats not being subject to the jurisdiction of the host country's courts?
Consular rights
Diplomatic immunity
Extradition
Sovereignty
Explanation - Diplomatic immunity shields diplomats from legal action in their host country to ensure smooth relations.
Correct answer is: Diplomatic immunity
Q.8 The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations was signed in which year?
1815
1919
1945
1961
Explanation - The 1961 Vienna Convention codified the rules of diplomatic law, including immunity and privileges.
Correct answer is: 1961
Q.9 Which of the following is an example of coercive diplomacy?
Signing a trade agreement
Using military threats to push negotiations
Cultural exchange programs
Humanitarian aid delivery
Explanation - Coercive diplomacy uses threats of force to influence another state’s behavior without full-scale war.
Correct answer is: Using military threats to push negotiations
Q.10 What is the main function of an embassy?
To manage domestic taxation
To represent and protect the home country abroad
To issue local business licenses
To run international banks
Explanation - Embassies serve as diplomatic missions representing a state's government in another country.
Correct answer is: To represent and protect the home country abroad
Q.11 Which ancient civilization first developed systematic diplomatic practices?
Greek city-states
Roman Empire
Mesopotamians
Chinese dynasties
Explanation - The Mesopotamians practiced some of the earliest recorded diplomacy through treaties and envoys.
Correct answer is: Mesopotamians
Q.12 What is 'public diplomacy' mainly concerned with?
Negotiations between heads of state
Military alliances
Engaging foreign publics to influence opinion
Espionage
Explanation - Public diplomacy focuses on shaping the perception of foreign citizens rather than just governments.
Correct answer is: Engaging foreign publics to influence opinion
Q.13 Which of the following best describes 'soft power' in diplomacy?
Military superiority
Economic coercion
Cultural and ideological influence
Legal obligations
Explanation - Soft power uses attraction—like culture and values—to influence other states, coined by Joseph Nye.
Correct answer is: Cultural and ideological influence
Q.14 Which European state pioneered permanent embassies during the Renaissance?
England
France
Italy
Spain
Explanation - Italian city-states like Venice and Florence pioneered the system of permanent embassies.
Correct answer is: Italy
Q.15 What does the term 'détente' in diplomacy mean?
Escalation of conflict
Relaxation of tensions
Military conquest
Alliance formation
Explanation - Détente refers to the easing of strained relations, particularly between the U.S. and USSR during the Cold War.
Correct answer is: Relaxation of tensions
Q.16 Which UN body is most directly involved in matters of international peace and diplomacy?
General Assembly
Security Council
Secretariat
ECOSOC
Explanation - The UN Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
Correct answer is: Security Council
Q.17 What is 'shuttle diplomacy'?
Use of cyber tools for diplomacy
Mediators traveling between conflicting parties
Diplomats working remotely
Exchange of ambassadors
Explanation - Shuttle diplomacy involves mediators moving between disputing sides when direct negotiations are not possible.
Correct answer is: Mediators traveling between conflicting parties
Q.18 Which term describes using economic measures as diplomatic tools?
Economic statecraft
Cultural diplomacy
Military diplomacy
Political patronage
Explanation - Economic statecraft refers to sanctions, aid, or trade incentives used to influence other states.
Correct answer is: Economic statecraft
Q.19 What is the role of a consul compared to an ambassador?
Handles military matters
Represents cultural ties only
Assists citizens and trade, not politics
Leads international summits
Explanation - Consuls focus on aiding citizens and trade in foreign cities, while ambassadors handle political diplomacy.
Correct answer is: Assists citizens and trade, not politics
Q.20 What does 'summit diplomacy' involve?
Secret negotiations by spies
Top-level meetings between heads of state
Trade talks by businesses
Only cultural exchanges
Explanation - Summit diplomacy refers to direct negotiations between heads of government or state.
Correct answer is: Top-level meetings between heads of state
Q.21 Who wrote the influential book 'The Prince,' often linked with statecraft?
Thomas Hobbes
Niccolò Machiavelli
Jean Bodin
Immanuel Kant
Explanation - Machiavelli’s 'The Prince' provides pragmatic advice on power, strategy, and statecraft.
Correct answer is: Niccolò Machiavelli
Q.22 Which Cold War event is a classic example of successful coercive diplomacy?
Berlin Airlift
Cuban Missile Crisis
Marshall Plan
Vietnam War
Explanation - The U.S. used coercive diplomacy against the USSR in 1962, leading to the withdrawal of Soviet missiles from Cuba.
Correct answer is: Cuban Missile Crisis
Q.23 What is 'gunboat diplomacy'?
Sending diplomats armed with weapons
Use of naval power to intimidate
Peaceful maritime trade
Pirate negotiations
Explanation - Gunboat diplomacy refers to using naval power or the threat of force in diplomacy.
Correct answer is: Use of naval power to intimidate
Q.24 Which principle ensures that diplomats cannot be arrested by the host state?
Territorial integrity
Extraterritoriality
Collective security
Non-alignment
Explanation - Extraterritoriality ensures that diplomats are exempt from the host country’s jurisdiction.
Correct answer is: Extraterritoriality
Q.25 What is the primary goal of preventive diplomacy?
To win wars
To prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts
To strengthen military alliances
To enhance trade relations
Explanation - Preventive diplomacy aims to stop potential conflicts before they turn violent.
Correct answer is: To prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts